Chapter One

The man, that's how little kids who grew up watching the arena saw him. The only guy who could light a cigarette in the middle of a class 75 hurricane. The Whisper who destroys purse ships. The guy who just sang "2,000 light-years away" on Karaoke . He stepped down from the stage and walked through the crowd of the outside tiki bar along the main strip of the Lancer District.

A large downtown plaza like area filled with tourist stores, attractions, and high priced clothing stored. A high tech flea market for the upper class to enjoy. It was after all completely built on the roof top estates of Khapitol's Outer Shell planet wide city. They were well above the atmosphere of clouds. The district had a space needle tower that lunched people up into orbit to enjoy zero-g attractions, like the trampoline gymnasium, and dodge ball arenas.

He was looking to get another tattoo and maybe a piercing. He was eccentric like that at times. High roller who loved to spend his money on dumb things. Like a flamethrower made out of a hot air balloon combustive engine.

The woman, keen and observant. Product of a mother's love for a father consumed by the void. Analytical and always on the brink of insanity. Trained to kill and maim without batting an eye. One who never saw the softer nature of her gender. Sure she could play the role, wear the skirts, pull the red hair back, and look as pretty as an Aya blossom, but in the end it never fit. She wasn't soft like her mother, nor did she wish to be.

She was out for glory, fame, and adventure all because of her given birth name. She was the kind to risk it all on a hunch, but not without considering and weighing all the options half a dozen times. However, there was something Ashlee had not expected.

He came in the form of a Whisper, and walked with an air of power and pride that Ashlee found fascinating. His history only encouraged that interest. There was so much more than that. She was drawn to him and that troubled her, because unlike everything else in the empire, she couldn't explain why. She had an answer for everything except Sentinel.

So, she walked, searching for the answer in the haze of confusion. Meandering and ambling down the streets of this bustling trade center, merely pausing to look at a locket of shining mythril. She couldn't help but trace her fingers over it.

A loud horn blew throughout the Plaza as confetti cannons shot artificial snow up into the air with loud geyser sounds. The snow was just like normal snow, just industrialized and expensive to produce. But well worth the coin.

Ink walked out into the snowy neon lit streets with a glass of Axel Tong. A blue glowing drink that was said to only be digestible by the Kliji species, a large sentient creature whose home world trades were tearing trees from their roots to be processed as food. A creature said to have 19 stomachs to process the toxic drink. He winced each time he took a drink.

Finally seeing Ashlee up ahead, ashamed he recognized her from behind. He quickened his pace and met up side by side with her. Keeping a distance even though he was off-duty technically. In his street attire, fashionable and dressed for the season. The snow finally raining down in a slow graceful drift. He tugged at his jacket collar and took another drink, followed by another short wince.

"I didn't know you traveled these street." He commented on her being there. "Care to walk with me?"

Gaze was locked on that shimmering and shiny locket and its craftsmanship. It was a symbol of the empire drawing in cultures with wealth beyond compare just by the skill and technique they cherished. She was kept in awe of it that she hadn't noticed the silver figure behind her or the fact that he was watching her. Immersed in the etching and engraving, she found order with the spirals and swirls.

However, before he spoke, she pulled her gaze away as well as her admiring touch to look up at the snow as it fell down over her. A single flake landed on her nose, bringing a smile to her lips. She then jumped, his voice shattering her moment of thought and contemplation. Orange gaze turned towards him, and she paused, in that moment taking him in and committing him yet again to memory.

There, that moment after, she smiled to him and shook her head. "I'm not supposed to without guard, but I think I can handle myself." She winked to him a little, grinning. S

He looked back up to the snow then around at all the Sprites that meandered around them, going about their business. Then she was back to looking in his eyes, staring at him face to face. "I would love to walk with you." Why wouldn't she enjoy that chance? It was a chance for more answers for something that was truly fascinating.

He brushed the snowflake off her nose and enjoyed watching her smile and suddenly be surprised at him being there. Stealth and Silence was something he had yet to learn to turn off from time to time. Seeing how fascinated she was with everything around her he couldn't help but casually grin. "In my opinion you?re in the company of an old Whisper. So who needs guards?"

His orange eyes looked over that locket, there was something about it that had her drawn towards it. "What is that you possess so closely?" The only things he kept close to him was of course the other Whispers and his collection of exotic Banzai plants that he pruned. But his scars most. Each one was a lesson learned.

He began leading them towards a tram area, which was overly packed. The words air lift, elevator, or simply jumping over the railing came to his mind. "It'll be quicker to take a lift down there. Falling takes too long."

Although he usually enjoyed the long fall. Around this time of season though, his clothes would probably freeze into solid ice around his body. Something he didn't like doing. By the time he gets to the warmer lower levels of the city it would be too late to slow down his rate of fall and find a place to crash land. Which also spooked most of the citizens of the lower levels. So in his mind a lift was the smarter choice.

Shooting a glance back over to Ashlee, to think he would be in an elevator soon with just her. He smirked as he brushed the thought away. "Your doing well in the Sims. Very exceptionally."

'What is that you possess so closely?' The answer to that question should have come easily, but it didn't. That bothered her ever so slightly and it showed for merely a second before she brushed it aside.

She looked to him, once again shaking the snow from her hair. She moved after him, keeping pace even as she studied the booth he pointed to, a faint smile on her lips. She kept following him as she murmured," Finding you here is probably the highlight of my night. Spending time with you... Well that's becoming quite the bonus.?

She looked in his eyes for a moment while waiting for the lift, the same thought crossing her mind. Her gaze turned to study the fall then the lift, she would have to try it once the weather was warmer. She glanced back to him, took a chilly breath and smiled to him. "That's okay, the lift will give us more of a chance to talk privately."

His complement brought pink to her cheeks, almost as though a cool breeze had teased a human to the sniffles. For a few moments she stammered and stumbled, trying to regain her composure and failing miserably for what felt like a lifetime.

When she smiled to him, she found the means to reply," Thank you Ink, coming from you that means a lot." She paused, stammered again, then answered his question," I hold close to me the most the expectations bestowed on me by my family. It pushes me to do my best every day and not to dabble in the unexpected. Order contains chaos and fends off insanity." Wow did she just sound pathetic.

"Long trip down." He said with a brisk tone. The trip down would take upwards to 15 minutes to clear the upper city. Given that the lift didn't stop to let others in. He walked to the large square tube that was large enough to fit a vehicle in. Taking out his IDKC and swiping it through a card reader.

"Welcome General."

He made the elevator an express with no pit stops or disturbance. Then leaned against the glass wall which had a fog to it from the change of temperature. His index finger outstretched and drawing smiley face like the one on his emoti-mask.

"I give it where it is due. Blood-honor that is. As for the time piece, we all have our expectations. As Sentinel I am bound by honor to uphold the traditions and expectations not just of the Temple of Nari's Whispers. But for my own heritage as well." He was speaking of the sword he possessed that was passed down fro generation to generation from the original Sentinel who lived long before the Avix Empire fell. Now just a quiet tomb full of secrets an the last of the K'rynai species. He too knew what it meant to uphold.

The punching of the terminal forced her to snicker and shake her head. It was yet again hit and ask question later type of method. She nudged him again and mused," Careful, you'll hurt more than the lift." A soft laugh left her and her hand took his, sensors working to see if he had punctured the skin or cut at any wiring that made his hand function.

When she saw no damage, she released it and pondered his question. The orange haze swallowed the lift hole and suddenly the lift fizzled as if power had sucked from the motor of the pully. Ashlee looked up, brows narrowing as she muttered out," Gee thanks..."

She pursed her lips a little and glanced to him. She repeated his question. "What do I feel?" That was an interesting question. Her head tilted ever so slightly before she finally answered," I can't control my thoughts and emotions around you. I feel like a human female whose hormones are getting the better of her, which is ridiculous." She shook her head, her attempt to justify her feelings obvious.

Her brow scrunched a little. "There I go again losing control of my tongue." She then turned her gaze to him while she murmured to him bluntly. "I'm attracted to you, I just..." she stammered again, her fingers moving to pinch the bridge of her nose. The lift... was still frozen in place. "I don't know if its.." What was the word she was looking for? Oh yes. "I don't know if it?s something considered acceptable behavior."

"This is all new territory to me." She looked up to him, showing a bit more of her frustration for the lack of knowledge she had. "I've never read anything about this." Nerd Alert!

His thoughts stirred, he had an obligations to her parents. But also had an obligation to himself. Pacing from his position held up the terminal then turning around and looked to her. "Acceptable behavior isn't something you can learn from a book. As for controlling your tongue. That's my specialty."

He grinned as he put a hand to her shoulder, pushing her back into the glass, starring into her orange eyes for a moment before he slightly tilted his head and moved in for a slow kiss. Hoping that it might melt away her self conscious insanity and help her think more clearly about what she truly feels and how to behave in a acceptable manner. By whose standards though? Sentinel's of course.

He laughed lightly as he finally broke away from her soft lips and look into her eyes. Suddenly the lift bobbed for a moment as the pullies had shut down and restarted the systems. Their trip downwards continued. It only getting darker with a few faint lights shining through the thick orange that engulfed the lift.

She was about to argue with him. About to banter at him and tell him books were the only way she ever learned and prepared herself. But that last part had her brain derailing. "Say that ag--." Then she was going backwards, her eyes getting lost in his citrus gaze.

Then there was the kiss and she sucked in a quivering breath. It would be nice to say that all brain function stopped and she quit analyzing things, however, even then she was trying to determine if she was doing well. Her hands moved, resting to his chest and tangling in the fabric of his coat and clutching to it. Orange gaze closed while she returned the kiss, one of her hands moving to comb through his hair and along his neck before he pulled away.

His laugh only brought a laugh from her and she smiled, biting her lip as her eyes met his. When the lift began moving she drew in a deep breath and swallowed softly. Her hand holding to his coat and gave a small tug to his coat, bringing her brow to rest against his own. As the darkness swallowed the lift she whispered. "Yeah.. no. Could have never learned that from a book... I mean. Wow."

He laughed a bit at her reaction to his outright rude in most scenes, yet wit in others. He stood next to her and leaned against the railing feeling the gravity getting a little stronger as they near their destination. That cigarette came to his lips and fingers released followed by a short draw. Smoke soon filled the air above them.

"Sometimes over thinking a situation can be our greatest downfall, when it's those smaller more fragile instinct within us that we need to let surface." He was right. It was something had learned the hard way after years and years of studying every tactic, mastering the tools of his trade, and absorbing every bit of combat history he could get his hands on. With all those at his disposal, it was instinct from within that helped him over come his greatest leaps and bounds.

He rolled off from the rails, a hand coming up to her jaw line, tucking a lock of red behind her ear as he gave another slow, yet longer kiss. Wow the first time, enjoyment the next.

She leaned against the rail, her smile soft as he spoke and inhaled that cigarette. As he looked out over the surroundings. She had to admit, she loved having the opportunity to replay memories at a whim, because she was slightly distracted by that feature. Orange eyes studied him, then looked up at the smoke that curled like a whisp over them.

Her smile blossomed anew on her lips, growing brighter than it quite possibly had ever been before. As he straightened from the bar her gaze lowered to follow him as he turned to her. His touch was tilted into, her hair almost like silk against his skin. Orange eyes locked with his before he leaned in and met her lips with his. She clutched to his coat for more than his closeness, a bit of stability before her arms slid up around his neck. It was the best way for her to keep standing in case her knees gave way. Enjoyment indeed.

The lift disappeared into a tube made up of pipes, cables, thick bulk walls and vents that pumped out the thick orange ozone vapors that blocked the sunlight from reaching the lower levels. The distant sound of lightning and thunder could be heard as they passed through and exited the shute into a massive large open area like they had descended from the heavens and were coming down onto another city with its own unique onyx colored buildings. An orchestra of neon colors decorated each building. Large spot lights moved back and forth and dance across the ceiling that was thousands of feet above the city of the lover levels. The ceiling itself had neon designs attached to it.

Sentinel broke from the kiss, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her in close as he looked out the glass window whose fog was now beginning to disappear. Warmer seasons awaited them below. Large holographic screen peppered the city. and the loud thundering sound they heard was the sound of music, filling every street corner. The lift began to slow down as the last few hundred feet approached. "Ready to get some ink?"

Ashlee was hardly aware of the change in scenery, or in the fact that they were surrounded by pipes and cables. She was rather distracted, up until the lightning and thunder forced her to jump ever so slightly. Both her eyes closed while she grinned against his lips, knowing that her sudden start was going to make him pull away. Yet it lingered a little longer and she savored it for as long as she could.

When the large spotlights danced in the sky around the lift she felt his frame move back and their lips part. As he pulled her close she rest her head to his chest and looked at the city beyond the windows. It was always a awe striking sight to see. The lights of the city, the large screens, she couldn't help but think of his past and let out a soft giggle," Was it this big when you first saw its lights?" The life and energy the music showed only helped to make her eager. It made her head lift and look to the various corners, ears keen to hear the rhythm and the melody even as he spoke.

Her eyes flickered to him, the dimples forming on her cheeks while she grinned softly. "Ready as I'll ever be." It was almost as though she decided then and there, life and living also promised learning experiences and so long as Sent was at her side, she'd live it and in a few cases... enjoy it.

The small pops of white flashes were from spectators snapping photos and enjoying this moment. Sentinel wasn't interested in this Arena though. It's been almost a thousand years since he had fought in this arena and still no one had challenged him to win the title. His orange eyes looked over his shoulder to Ashlee, "Ink shop is right up here." He lead her through the arena's circular plaza towards small tattoo shop hidden off behind a few other shops down a side hall.

"Here we are." He looked up to the small ship, a half lit neon sign glowed and flickered the shops name, "The dragonless Dragonrider."

"I wasn't being kind!" She said with a broad grin on her lips. The large man was certainly one of her favorite features of the underground.

As Sent moved so did she, making sure to keep her pace with him up until they entered. The sound of the arena, the roar of the crowd, and the music nearly had her intoxicated. Both her eyes closed and she took in the data like a wave, making her spin while she gave a broad brilliant smirk. Orange gaze locked on the fight below and she whistled sharply. She wasn't sure who to cheer for or what was going on, but the scent of blood lust in the air was enough to get her circuits flaring to life.

Taking a deep breath of it, she missed him moving away and up the arena. At least for several minutes. Then she looked back to where he was, about to speak, and he was gone. Orange gaze darted over the crowd franticly for a moment before spotting his wake, or at least what she thought was it, after all the crowd was still parted like the red sea and several individuals were staring or talking among themselves eagerly. She rushed up the path, In some cases having to push people aside delicately to keep up with the path until she spotted him moving towards a ship. She stopped behind him, looked up at the ship, then back at the crowd, not having heard a word he said due to the roar and cheer of the crowd and announcer.

As he opened the door a small brass bell above the door rang.

"Be with you in just a minute." A voice rang in from the back of the shop.

The place had a oriental diesel look to it. As they walked in the door closed behind them, blocking out the sound from outside to a low muffle. "Terrice... it's Sentinel. Get your ass out here." He said with a serious half cynical tone. Soon an old human came out from the back, looking a lot like Stan Lee.

"Sentinel! It's been some time. last I saw you I had game." He laughed at his own jokes as he walked in close to hug Sentinel. "So what brings you to the dragonless dragonrider? You?re running out of canvas."

Sentinel stepped to the side to show that he wasn't alone. Terrice smiled, "Ahhh, who's the young lady?" raising a brow then seeing her in full. "You brought a Belarus down here? And not just any Belarus, you brought one of Dust's children."

Sentinel looked inspired to joke, but went instead with the blunt truth. "She's looking to get some work done." Sentinel looked over Terrice' shoulder to see some new art work he had been working on. "You and your Dust Belarus Comics man. Always telling a good tale."

The chime of the bell had her looking up to it. So many things she had yet to discover about the world. Terrice's voice had her head perking inquisitively. She looked towards Ink with a grin to his words. He was so casual at times it put her at ease. Granted, it was hard to see him ever losing his guard, even as the old human ambled from behind the screen and towards Sent, embracing him as though they were old friends. Orange eyes studied the human with a casual grin.

Then suddenly she was the focal point. Her cheeks went pink in an instant at his words and the surprise in his voice. "Ashlee Belarus, well met Terri--." Sentinel's words caught her off guard and she blinked, stepping around him to the comics.

Her hands plucked up a completed issue and she turned over the pages and paused on an image. Dust stood, armless over a pod of black, his other arm lifting the lid as a word bubble lead from his lips, one leg already in the pod. The world bubble read: I love you, Sarah. Ashlee closed the comic and looked back to Terrice," You're the one who writes these comics?" She turned her eyes back over the comics, her eyes studying the issues. One of them read: Trapped in the Void and another read: Flee from Corbin. "How is it you know so much about my parent's life?"

--Back to the Shop--

Terrice looked to Ashlee with a short grin. "Where do you think he got his tattoo's from?" The old man pointed out. Then turned and sat in a chair next to a relaxing looking operating bed. His prescription glassed hung around his neck by a chain, that was soon brought to the bridge of his nose, getting a better look at the two standing next to each other. He could tell that they were a match. He picked up his data pad and tapped at it. Bringing on the match in the arena seeing a wonderful display of fluid fighting from one individual.

Terrice looked back to Ashlee and Sentinel, "So look around the shop to get some ideas. When you know what you want let me know." He said with a smile, leaning back into his giant comfy red leather chair. Crossing one leg over the other as he sketched his newest comic out.

Sentinel looked to Ashlee, "What sort of ink you looking to get?" He was already peeling off his jacket, throwing it onto a chair, then taking off his t-shirt revealing what most would expect from the man. Bullet wounds. scars from stabs, slashed, explosives, fire, you name it, it was there. But the muscular tone still shown through. Tattoo's covered most of his scars. The most prominent scar was the scar over his core, looked like he was impaled by a sword. The other was the scar going from one side of his throat to the other.

Tattoos that were mostly oriental and machine influenced. A certain beauty about coy fish, tsunamis, and blossoms covered his back in bright orange, pink, yellow, reds, blues, green, white and black.

He laid down on the operating bed that looked like it was used more for professional masseuse'. Pointing to his rib cage where there was a octagon like grids with different colors in them. "I need seven more, 3 red's and 2 white, 1 black, and 1 blue." Each one meant something.

Terrice began taking tablets and pushing them into the eraser end of what looked like a metallic pencil then began drawing on the side of Sentinel's rip cage, a low humming sound coming as it came in contact with skin, some thin strands of smoke came up into the air. "So, Ashlee. How is your father and mother? It's been some time since I've seen them." Some regarded Terrice as the oldest human alive, an oracle of such.

Terrice was stared at for the longest of time," You did his work? Well then... I'm sure to get caught her--." The sound of the fight came as Terrice sat down.

But that's not what had stopped her, not what had caught her off guard. It was first the removal of Sent's coat, then the removal of his shirt. The rest of what Terrice said fell on semi deaf ears. She was taking in every line, every scar, every muscle, ogling him as she stood glued to her spot. She studied the stabs, the bullet wounds, those slashes and explosives, each marring feature on his torso. She stared at the impalement scar on his chest and then the one at his throat. If she hadn't known his past she would have swore someone wanted him dead. When he lay down she edged closer to the table and looked over the tattoos. Her hand lifted and she traced the nearest coy on his shoulder.

Terrice's words finally hit her and she looked from the blossoms to the human with a grin. "As well as can be expected with two people that madly in love with each other. He makes her swoon and she turns around and surprises him a little bit more. After all, she was once like you and each time she shows more of those old human instincts my father tends to blink, grin, and show an overwhelming amount of affection for her." Shaking her head, her had still on Sent's shoulder.

She looked towards the fight, taking in the form of Zvan as he battled. The amount of bodies piled up at his feet made her brow arch, store him to memory. She tried to motion Sent's gaze towards the screen. "Now that individual... He'd be good on the team." She was distracted by his skill, his precision, his raw talent.

She finally answered the ink question. "I want the Aya blossom on my ribs... Whatever else you want to put with it, be my guest, but make it beautiful and... freeing." She smiled to him softly," That's my only request, the how and what else, that's up to the artist. I only ask that you make it a masterpiece like you do with your comics and like that fighter does in the Arena." Her thumb pointing back to the fight.

--Reflected in the Data Pad--

Well Zvan Just smiled and chuckled. "Well.. I was rather nervous, at first, but hearing the song of the crowd cheering.. There was no way i could be afraid... They had my back and I have theirs.. As for during the fighting.. you just feel that pulse... that heart beat inside your head, inside your opponents.. As you both know one of you won?t walk away... The feeling is invigorating.." he did use hand signals with the emotion, making a thump thump on his chest with a closed fist to simulate a accelerated heart beat, though he would Smile.. "as for going all
the way to the top... Im afraid i simply came here as inspiration.... To show the Art of war in a masters hand... Though does the crowd desire for me to come back?" was it reverse psychology... hell did it work? most likely.. But as for him he gave the camera a wink. ?Anyways... As i said... let the crowd decide if i come back... Though for now, Let them remember Zvantric Kritolcik!" He chuckled and was rather trying to inspire a rally cry from the crowd and those around the interview, although he did lift up the mask of fear.. Though it was only half a mask it still held its clear expression.

--Back to the Shop?

Ashlee was laying there, listening to the men speak while the 'ink' covered her skin with that small sting. She barely felt it thanks to her tough skin. When Sent went to inspect the work being done orange eyes fell on him, once again taking in the marks and scars that covered his body. Then she turned her gaze to the screen, brows lifting while she listened to the interview, shaking her head as she grinned. Reminded her a bit of her brother. The energy, the blood lust, the creativity. She shook her head again and turned her head back to look over to the light that beamed down over her skin.

She had yet to look at her side or the flower there; she didn't want to ruin it. There was one thing that struck her as she listened to Ink and Terrice, the way they talked about the old days. It perked her interest down to the mentioning of Ink not yet free. That made her lips purse and her teeth grit ever so slightly. It could have been mistaken for pain, but in actuality, it was frustration at his situation. Was he a slave to her family? Was he a servant?

She didn't care, she'd figure it out and give her parents her peace, so help her. Both her eyes closed, the data and her thoughts running over her eye lids as she processed the creation of the tattoo more like a wave of 1's and 0's rather than sensations and feelings. Another plus to what she was, even if being completely numb was a bad thing at times, she was only numb when she wanted to be.

Terrice shut the tablet off and focused on his work. Managing he'd be done by the time they finished talking about what seemed like an issue. Sentinel folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the counter. Looking to Ashlee, "That fighter would be a great addition to 3H, I want to send him a personal invitation."

Pulling out his own data pad and flipping through numerous programs and resources to get in touch with the man himself. An Orcynai arena champion. he thought to himself. Finding this incredibly interesting. He sent the invite and turned his data pad off, slipping it into his pant pockets. His orange eyes fell onto Ashlee for a moment, seeing the tattoo nearly complete.

"You seem distasteful about the arrangements between me and your father." He didn't see the problem with it, he had spent his whole existence as a contracted slave. Being a Whisper was the benefit.

Orange eyes opened to lock with Sent's. Hearing his words about the champion she nodded softly, knowing that either her father or mother would possibly head up the interview of the young man fighting for his life there. Her eyes remained closed and continued to study data and history against those lids. She had done a little research on Sentinel's family, however she hadn't quite understood his history, there was a lot of red tape when she had tried to research his father.

When his voice fell to her ears she looked up to him, her head tilting to the side. "Can we not talk about that here? I'm all for talking about it, but... not until we're alone." She said as she brought her hand up to trace at his arm for a second. He might have not seen a problem, but Ashlee certainly did.

Sentinel nodded. Seeing the tattoo finish Terric smacked at it twice like he had done to Sentinel. "All done. as usual it's on the house."

Sentinel smiled and nodded, "Thanks Terric, we'll see you around." He grabbed at his shirt and pulled it on over his body, then slipping the jacket on over. He grabbed Ashlee's shirt and jacket and walked over to her, waiting for her to get up and dress. "We'll be alone soon enough." He said as simple as he could. Looking back over the comics, then noticed a plushy doll that looked like Judge Belarus, "You've got to be kidding me."

Terrice smiled, "What, the series is a hit with kids. Don't see it as propaganda. Look at it as opportunity to give people a hero. Someone to look to for guidance and gain strength from in bad times."

Sentinel shook his head and smiled, "don't you dare give me that hero speech." He said kiddingly, having had this conversation before.

The slap was the sign that Ashlee needed to un-numb herself and sit up. When she sat up her skin protested the new tattoo for a moment, but she ignored it. Turning about and facing the mirror, she looked over it, her gaze tracing the flower. A smile formed on her lips and she looked to Terric. Moving to the data center that allowed the exchange of credits, she swiped her card and keyed in a healthy tip. That would make up for it being on the house.

When Sent looked to the Judge doll, his hand holding out her shirt and coat, she looked to it as well and took her shirt. "Got any t-shirts?" She asked while she smiled over to Terric. "Cause if you do, send some my way." She paused before putting on the shirt to show the completed flower to Sent, a smile to him before she finally tugged the shirt over her head and then slipped on her coat. The two men continued to speak with each other while Ashlee scanned the area with a bit of curiosity. She watched people passing by the shop and heading towards the Arena, it was almost time for the next set of fights.

Giving Terrice a high five he turned and returned to Ashlee's side. The bell above the door ringing as they left and were back into the arena. The interview was still being blared and repeated as highlight reels began to play to show people the best of the best of tonights fight. He smirked, remember them days, shrugging them aside. His orange eyes becoming more observant as he noticed the shift in the crowd. Look like someone famous was coming to the arena.

He grabbed Ashlee's hand, pulling her in close to him. Moving his hand past her lower back and tucking his hand into the pocket of her jacket. Making sure he didn't accidently touch her tattoo. "Where to?" The low buzzing hymn of his voice exploding into electrical buzz when ever he pronounced o sounding words.

Ashlee waved to Terrice as they stepped out of the shop, her smile spreading to show perfect pearly white teeth. She studied the door and the shop's layout, marking its location in the map that she had accumulated of the Under City. While Sentinel pulled her close and remained observant, she let curiosity get the better of her. Ogling the area before she was wrapped up in his arms, then she was ogling him. Orange gaze lifted to examine his face in the light as brows rose in curiosity. "Well, you know this place better than I do, so, lead the way." She said while she smiled to him, her fingers combing through his hair to reveal his face in full. He was rough, rugged, scarred, and handsome to the very core pulsing in his chest.

She smiled to him tenderly before turning her eyes on the Arena," Perhaps somewhere a bit quieter." Saying even as the boom and roar of the crowd billowed out with an eager roar of blood lust. Pupils dilated of their own accord, showing the effect such lust had on the young Belarus. Ashlee was a maniac beneath that synthetic flesh. Oh the will power.

Middle finger drummed against the blood oozing from the nail cut on his skull while Ashlee moved to a knee. Her head lowered towards his ear, her mouth and those Ink kissed lips dangerously close to the lobe as they parted," Take another look at me before I crush your eyeballs with my fingers, wise ass." Venom slithered in the form of her voice to his ear as her hand moved from his face to clutch at his throat, bruising at the flesh. "Now, take a good look." Tone still dangerously low as the man's eyes opened from behind shaking eye lids.

Gaze fixed on Ashlee's face and realization struck him. His eyes widened while Ashlee's lips parted in a monstrous grin. "Now.... Do I look like someone's property?"

His head shook wildly, its hue turning purple, a squeak for breath leaving his mouth as she drew in a deep breath.

"Now. The next time he has to count... I won't hold back." She released his throat, and patted his cheek, "And the last thing you *will* see is my fingers gouging your eye balls out. Comprende?"

Another nod came from the man and she stood, shortly after patting his head. Red eyes turned on Ink as a calming breath filtered through her lungs.

He walked near Ashlee, giving a punt to the side of the mans head with his cowboy like boots. The sound of sirens wailing in the background could be heard getting louder but for the most part the people of the arena thought it was just rival fans getting into a grudge match.

Ink looked to her, "Put this on." was all he said while reaching into his pocket and pulling out what looked like a black silk ski mask with no holes for the eyes, nose, mouth, or ears. He was already pulling his on when he dropped a cigarette and all the lights went out around them, a dark hot cloud filling the area while disappearing into the crowd.

Now he adorned a baseball cap and a full beard. His hair a de-funked black, blue, and red. Looking to Ashlee, as she was now seeing how ready he was for all occasions. A man for all seasons is what he was. The emoti-mask he had was capable of making him look however he liked.

The older prototype he gave Ashlee was just the same. Someplace quiet. "Come on we're going to the Elevator Club."

Ashlee didn't need to be told twice. The mask was put on over her head, her eyes falling back to their orange shade as reality of the aftermath sank in. There was still blood lust, but it was mixing with something else, a twinge of frustration and a bit of fear. The mask had made her into a girl with black hair, icy blue eyes, and a few additional piercings about her face.

When the lights went out, she had to remind herself to stay close to Ink so that she didn't get caught in the mess. When they were clear, she looked from the crowd to him, her curiosity piqued. "Elevator Club? What's that?"

His hand was squeezed, showing that the madness was ebbing and the saner side of Ashlee was regaining control. Short-lived bursts, for the most part, other instances, hidden by her mother when they reared their ugly head.

He didn't answer her, he merely led her out from the arena and across the wide street filled with dancing crowds. Neon light. and large stages where musicians displayed their skill behind digital mix boards that blared the music across many city blocks.

The upper levels were supported by large structural pillars with buildings and such built around them like barnacles around the wooden posts of piers. One was a large disk shaped object that wrapped around the large pillar like a floating halo that was constantly making the trip from the lower levels to the inner core... deeper into the planet.

He walked into a line where 2 other couples were standing in front of them. Kissing and grinding up on one another to the street music. Waiting for the Elevator club to arrive at this station.

"Relax beautiful, this is romantic." He smiled to her, showing the vamperic fangs before moving in for a kiss, pushing her against the wall and slowly stripping a jacket off from her shoulders. His hands rubbing beneath her shirt. Over her bare ribs and to her back. Pulling her in close while his hips were like magnets to hers. Slowly he would dance into her, playing the part and enjoying himself.

Her fingers teased through his hair again, she hoped he didn't mind. She was making a habit out of it. Looking once again out the window, she watched the earth slide around them until it came on the underwater ocean. Awe formed on her face, wiping all thought from her as easily as his kiss at the surface.

Gaze locked on those coral mammals and she traced its outline with her finger just as he had drawn the smiley face on the lift. She leaned back into him, the blue glow cascading over her, making her orange orbs almost seem as though they were glowing. She smiled, fondly as she discovered another place she would have never known without Ink as her guide.

Eventually, she tore her gaze from the ocean and looked to him, her lips pressing to his for a moment before she whispered," It seems I can expect intrigue, danger, trouble, and excitement whenever I'm with you." Commenting on what happened in the Arena. "I am sorry I got carried away." No, she really wasn't, part of her actually enjoyed that animal side of her.

He was enjoying the constant attention and kissed she was giving him, something he hadn't felt in eons. "Nah, nah. That smuggler deserved it. Him and his brutes are always trying to poison this universe with their drug cartel." The elevator stopped, thousands upon thousands of feet underwater.

The vibrations from the music were sent out through the water attracting these large majestic creatures that sang back to the music. Their single dorsal tails looked like giant dragons wings. But they were all too peaceful and thrived off the music that the lower levels brought to them. Little pods doors on the side of the club's structure opened up and shot out large clumps of food. Schools of rainbow colored fish and other creatures came along and shared the meal that arrived every couple of hours.

"Well, I believe this is our stop." He said looking to her. What could he possibly mean, the limits of the elevator along the pillar. There was literally no where else to go. He stood up waiving off a waiter who came to them with menu's. "No thanks."

"Then there is no need to explain yourself." She said while she watched the feeding frenzy outside the window. She admired neon fish fully, the way they swam struck Ashlee as though they were dancing. As the schools grew closer to the window she leaned forwards, details of each fish being taken in for later research.

At his words, her gaze turned towards him, orange eyes locking with his while she caressed his cheek. "Our stop? Where are we going?"

There was always somewhere else to go, she'd learned that when she studied her father. Infact, her gaze turned to the window then back to him. "Are we going for a swim?"

Grinning, her eyes flickering over to the waiter, who may have found her pressed up to him and with a not so innocent smirk on her lips. There were quite a few, not so innocent thoughts coursing through her brain. Oh the possibilities as to what those could be.

"You could say that." He moved through the dance floor heading off to a side door that led into the maintenance areas that operated the elevator. A large door said dry lock. He pulled a lever and saw the door slide open revealing it's grid like floors and a hatch in the ceiling. He didn't see any use for a swim suit. Stepping into the small room, he looked back to Ashlee for a moment.

Clipping his data pad to his pant loop and then tucking it into his pocket. A pair of gray foggy lenses came sliding over his eyes like a reptilian of the water.

He looked to an old rusty looking computer terminal that had a small foggy screen with dust piled up on it. Literal buttons and switches decorated the side. Damn this shit is old. A couple of pumps could be heard starting up, having a little bit of trouble as gears turned and prepped the room to flood.

The prospect of a swim was something Ashlee looked forwards to. The same reptilian glaze covered her eyes as she smirked to him. Her excitement was hard to contain. Her own data pad was attached to a belt loop like his was, but it was left to dangle freely at her side. Her jacket was set out on the floor and she sat for a second to kick off her shoes and remove her socks before wrapping them in her coat and turning it into a makeshift bag. She secured the 'bag' at her side and grumbled, this was far too much to carry.

Ashlee shifted on her feet, "Hold that thought." She then stepped to the room, beckoning a waiter over, providing him with instruction as to her belongings. Saying Belarus assured that it would be done, not that she couldn't replace a pair of boots, socks, and a coat, but it was the thought. Securing the door once again, she looked back to ink in time to see him readying the room for flooding.

He pulled down on the lever hard and the large heavy doors slammed behind Ashlee as she stepped in. The room automatically flooding with water too quick for a sprite to react and hold their breath. bubbles rose from the grid floor till there was no oxygen left, just a sweet tasting water. Not salt, it wasn't the first time he'd been here. He looked up to the ceiling as it opened up into the large oceanic metal cavern.

Machines swam around harvesting kelp and marine plant life. Here too was a place where they gathered food for the inhabitants of the planet.

He looked over to Ashlee and gave a quick wink before curb stomping at the lever once more to make it go all the way down and was immediately pulled to the grid floor as it pushed upward. Shooting both of their bodies hundreds of meters out into clear open waters that were lit by balls of data emotions that acted much like shooting stars. Zooming past them carrying large amounts of data from the core shell of the planet to the outer shell.

Sentinel looked like he was standing at attention while he was gliding forward through the water like a torpedo. But, he wasn't losing his inertia. Hell yea! Let's do this! He reached out to hold onto Ashlee's hand for what came next was something entirely odd.

The water began to part and pinch off into large spheres of liquid and float, bouncing and colliding into one another like asteroids. The sweet spot, two massive surfaces of water facing one another like land and clouds. They floated there in Zero gravity, watching athletic, hyper, and long elated fish leap from one wall water through the air and into the other.

"What do you think?"

Ashlee found Ink's relationship with fish rather fascinating. She had seen fish act unusual, but the way the reacted to the man was rather curious. Gaze opened as Ink nodded to the fish, forcing Ashlee's natural inquisitive nature to grow ever so slightly. Then the pace of the swim increased, forcing them into a direct path with the surface.

When they shot up and into the air, out of the water, she turned her face towards the unnatural light, savoring its warmth before they landed back into the water. As the fish swam around them, she looked around them, spotting those islands in the distance and that coming ship.

She didn't notice the glance that was made to her, nor heard him 'hm', she only became aware of his plans as he reached out and linked with the ship. As the wake pulled her into reality, she noted that he was bringing her beside him. A grin blossomed on her lips as his unusual request was actually not that unusual given the situation. She moved to his back quickly, bringing her arms around his neck, her own frame drifting over his as they were pulled along.

It was at times like this that Ashlee should relax a little, but even then she was observing, rather than tormenting the man beneath her, which would have been rather normal to do.. as well as serve as a rather amusing distraction. Yet, she just clung to him and looked up the side of the ship for a name.

After Ashlee made haste with the backpack grip of hers. His other hand came up to the side of the ship, magnetic grip activated. Like a monkey climbing a tree he scaled the side of the large yacht only stopping half way.

He looked ahead of the ship seeing another ship about to pass by, hopefully close enough and hopefully it was the right ship. His eyes shifted digitally, zoom, focus, and sharpen. Yea, that looks about right. The Interloper. The nose of the ship was beginning to pass the yacht they hung from.

His legs bent and up to his chest as if he was coiling up, feet laid flat against the hull of the ship, "brace yourself."

As the Interloper passed, he released his magnetic grip and kicked off from the side of the ship. Making sure the amount of energy didn't sway the ship. Their bodies launched from the side of the yacht and arched backwards, his body slowly twisting 180 degrees before his palms and feet made contact with the other ships hull, taking a moment to look up and to the sides checking for disturbance. Then over his shoulder, he looked at the yacht that cruised on by with no notice to them at all, "You good?"

Ashlee was doing what she could to help Ink in his climb alongside the ship. her arms didn't tighten at his throat, and her feet helped him gain a steady bit of momentum. She looked up to double check the side of the ship for gawkers and on lookers before she nodded to the warning. Her grip tightened ever so slightly and her body gripped him like a vice. She was ready the moment he launched them and transferred ships.

Her brows rose at the name for a moment then looked to him when he spoke once again. "Perfectly fine." She grinned as she went back to helping as much as she could. Her grip still holding to him, because losing him at this point would be rather terrible. She didn't know her way home, let alone where they were. It seemed as though this was a different world entirely.

The entire planet was built around a star at it's center. The inner shell of the planet was lush green with much water surface. The sun beaded down on his back while he climbed to the top and lurched over. Ducking behind a large crate.

The floor of the deck was thick rusty iron. He looked to Ashlee for a moment, "Well we're here." He said with a smile. At this moment he was busy looking over a holographic map that flashed on over his open palm and then closed, only needing a second to memorize the ships layout.

"This is a sprite ship," He looked to her one last time before sprinting from behind the crate and sliding through iron dust to take cover behind another crate, this was obviously someplace they weren't suppose to be.

Come on gal, follow my lead.

He smiled to her while look for her, his hand waving her on to join him.

He figured since he had spent the last 5 months staging this out. The only hiccup in his plan was running into Ashlee. But, it still worked out after all and he was actually enjoying himself a little bit more than usual.

Holstering the gun from the Unity guy he just roughed up and walking over to a pair of stairs. Quietly sprinting up them like cat hearing milk pour into a bowl, excited yet quietly determined to not let anything get in the way of his goal.

"Cover me." He simply said as he pushed his back up against a wall at the top of the stairs. A large door next to him led to the bridge of the tugboat.

The white inner walls and cleanliness had Unity spelt out all over it. The outside was a clever idea, but not clever enough. He waved his hand out in front of the door and watched it slide open, quickly peaking before it slid closed.

"Four on the left, two in the center station, and one more to the far right. Captain is in the middle with his first mate. Their all where they need to be." He remembered where the map stated their plotted course was taking them.

Looks like these shinies are planning to poison our food supply with that MedSync shit.

He then looked to Ashlee and wait a moment as he thought, "Alright, we're going to the engine room. Time for this ducks head to be held under." He moved back to the stairs and stopped.

An emergency access latter was painted red against the wall. He walked up and looked down into the hole, No signs of detectors or viewers. He leapt at the latter, his hands and feet hugging the side while he slid downward past all of the levels of the tugboat landed at the bottom. Looking around through the machine infested room.

"For a nation that hates machines, they sure do use a lot of them." He stood there; Ashlee was never too far behind him. The thought brought a smile to his face, finally a woman who could keep up.

Ashlee was good at cover, she was also good at taking in what little knowledge she could just from a glance. The medical white walls made her nose wrinkle and she looked rather disgusted. Lips pursed while she gaged the area around them and paused at the sight of a bit of paper latched to a clip board against the wall. As Ink peeked in to work out where the captain and first mate were, she snatched paper and stuffed it in her pocket. It looked as though it was a log record.

She then looked back to him and nodded. He had a plan and she was willing to roll with the punches. As he moved up the stairs she was right behind him, going backwards and moving as quiet as a snake slithering through the undergrowth of a jungle. Creeping along, she kept herself in par with his steps, watching him out of the corner of her eye while her focus kept to the path they came from.

When she paused at the door to insure they weren't being followed she caught a glimpse of another clipped set of paper, this one sealed in an envelope. She scanned it with her eyes to be assured there was no trouble and snagged that and whatever other paper was clasped on the clip board. Moving quickly, she kept up with Ink, jumping over the ladder while she clutched the paper in her teeth. When she had a firm grip with one hand, the other secured the paper in her 'borrowed' uniform.

Climbing up behind him, she looked back behind them once more, double checking the situation before joining Ink within the depths of the ship. Masked eyes danced over the machines, each one being processed and stored for further observation and study.

Looking towards Ink, she smirked, "Kinda an ironic situation eh?" Brows arched as her head shook just a little.

Watching him as well as watching the area around them, she paused, looking over a machine and well getting rather distracted in the process. Ashlee's hand slid over the label for a moment then looked towards him as he shattered the console. "Three minutes, no problem."

Once again she was back to watching their back as he made them a door, her weapon held, point down. When a bullet hit the hull beside her head, Ashlee perked a brow, looked to the scorch mark before looking back to the group. Hearing their speculation made her grin and it mirrored on her disguise.

When he looked to her, she looked back to him," Still think they'll buy some cookies?"

As he stepped closer to her, she hummed a little sweetly and rocked on the balls of her feet. When the metal hull came down on the unity soldiers, she winced and shook her head. Meaty pancakes were not on the menu.

For a moment she was pushed on her feet with the rush of water, but she equalized to glance through the opening. Brows rose a little, gaze locking on the family of fish swimming nearer. Her feet kicked off the floor of the ship and towards the school with Ink.

Once they were well enough ahead, she gave an extra boost to her speed and swam around him in circles. Apparently she enjoyed herself. Her hand clasped his, giving it a squeeze. When the fish were close enough for him to reclaim his grasp, her fingers traced over its scales, watching the shimmer and glimmer of the water reflecting there. Her head turned to look to the ship, grin returning as the vessel began to sink into the depths.

BOOOOOM! The shockwave rippled through the water sending sharp scraps of metal in all directions. By this time he had already had his arm wrapped around Ashlee. Knowing she was a big girl he pulled her up to make nice with the fishies. One of them stretching a hand out to her while he was being towed by one. Coming into the clear shallow water of one of the floating islands he laid back on the beach. The fish resting themselves in the shallow water as well.

"Ashlee," he said with a short pant. "Your good." He said with a smile, he couldn't sit up for a moment, he just want to sit there and watch the junk trickle down from the sky. He let out a sigh of relief, "ah, contract fulfilled. Told ya this tango ends in a bang."

The white sand beneath his back was soaked in a azure blue puddle. He looked up to see a large chunk of steel sticking out of his hip, the rest of his chest was peppered as well. He pulled a hand up to his face and waved it in front of his eyes. "Great." He sat up and looked over to Ashlee, a long steel rod protruded out from his left eye, "It's always gotta be this one."

He reached up grabbing a firm grip around the rod and tugged at it slightly, "...barbed." Yanking it out and watching the thick blue drip down from his eyes socket. Then chuckled a bit at his own humor, "Looks like I'm in the market for an upgrade."

While looking at the large impalement on his hip, he began plucking the spray of metal stretching across his chest, shoulder, and neck. Pulling the Emot-imask off and tugging at the large piece sticking out, "I'm going to need your help getting this one out Ash."

Fortunately, for Ink, by pulling her into his arms, she didn't receive the brunt of the explosion, but she did have shrapnel embedded in her hip and peppered along her arm and side. There was even a few at the side of her neck. However, the severe-ness of his injuries had that grin, which came from his complement, washing away. The waves echoed around them, as he pulled metal from each opening in his body. Sitting up, ignoring the blues trickling over the Unity uniform, she pursed her lips.

Helping him pluck the bits and pieces out of his frame was easy and somewhat enjoyable, considering she had to remove the clothing that stood in her way. Each piece was flicked back into the water, where it would sink into the sand and into the ocean. she looked up at his eye socket and perked a brow, her gaze studying the damage there with assessing oranges.

"Looks like you didn't do any serious damage, but we should probably get you to a team soon. You're losing a lot of fluids." She didn't sound worried, nor did he, it was their life of course. Now if there had been one sticking out of his core, then she would worry.