The sun was bright, the clouds were dark, a stark contrast of warmth and the coming cold of winter. Leaves were a miriad of color, browns, golds, orange and reds bold and flourishing in the full bloom of autumn. Outside the School for the Gifted, the wind picked up and the sound of a shuttle craft was heard landing in the archery field not far from the group of buildings that made up the school. It, too, was a stark contrast to the surrounding place as if future was meeting the distant past.

Sha'uri met the craft as it landed, doors slid open and she greeted Porthios as he came off the shuttle, once the craft was powered down.

"Greeting's M'Lady." he bowed low to her. "Are they all ready to go now?"

"There may be a few more. We'll leave after breakfast. Come, are you hungry?"

She held a hand out to him. Taking her hand, he walked with her towards the buildings.

"Starved actually. I had to jump through."

"What? Why?" this took her by surprise.

"Well, apparently this RhyDin isn't the other RhyDin ye knew so well."

She was silent for a long moment, pausing in her stride.

"I see. So, we'll have to jump the Nexus. We don't have a Secakian solar system in this one, do we....."

"Aye we'll have to jump. At least until we can get a stable portal through. and Nope, we sure don't exist in this realm."

"Well, that sure explains some things." nods. "Okay, well, let's go get breakfast and wait for all to gather so we can go. How long will the trip be extended?"

"About six hours, making it a twelve hour trip there."


"I'll have the cook pack us a dinner along with lunch then."

After returning, she got with Melody to ask her to inform people that Breakfast was ready and the shuttle was waiting in the Archery field to depart for all those going to Secak. It would leave in about an hour.


((Posted from Ravensheart board, moving it here. Please use this string to play in. Thanks!))

The Headmaster made a tour of the grounds with the small caretaking staff being left behind as his assistant came to him with news of breakfast. He made his way to the main dining area.

The Headmaster looked at the dog at the table and his eyes turned black and red for a moment.

"It seems that you are not what you seem to be"

"I am an elf now. It is my magick that causes the slight alteration in hue."

"Hmm.. Magick. I ne'er did get it." Porthios shrugged his shoulders, "Though it got me to be sure. The Lady Sha'uri is highly influential that way and I have her to thank for my life, my wife and family."

He smiled broadly and turned his attention to Anne, getting up from his chair. Porth gave a polite bow and warm smile, though upon hearing her name as he slowly rose, his eyes widened with such surprise it was a wonder they stayed in their sockets.

"Woodshadow? Ye be a Woodshadow?"

A second later caught his wits again, He approached her and took her hand and with yet another bow rose again to kiss the back of her hand. The former dog was indeed a gentleman. His smile was warm as he let go her hand.

"Praise be... I ne'er thought I'd see the return. My Lady, I'm Porthios, and today I am indeed yer driver and guide to the stars."

:: She heard the knock while brushing her teeth and gasped..already!...ohh no!...she was in a flurry as she quickly came out of the room trying to bring her bags out and too the archery field as she forgot all about breakfast..she was excited and really really wanted to go::

Ough!...ouch...uhhh...

:: She lugged them into the kitchen by accident and looked at everyone in the room::

Morning....uhhh everyone!

The Headmaster looked quizzically at Sha'uri.

"What delays the length of the voyage?"

The Headmaster paled and sat.

"Yes."

It was a very difinitve yes.

"I can't do it..."

He just begins shaking his head, worry blanching his face.

"You all can go and have a wonderful time. Someone should stay behind and tend to the school."

The Headmaster looks over at the excited little girl who just moved a mountain of baggage because she was so excited. Her green eyes seemed to shine with excitement and hope. He just couldn't take that from her...and he was pretty certain she would be at the very least saddened if he did not go. He sighed heavily and muttered.

"As long as my magicks work there...then fine."

Porthios seemed to jump at the command.

"Aye, M'Lady!"

He quickly grabbed a ham sandwich and stuffed a huge apple in his pocket. Then he grabbed a wedge of cheese and put that in his other pocket. He started to walk away from the food, but then decided that the donut Sha'uri was eating looked all too good to pass up, so he grabbed that and a napkin. Just when one could think he was done, he grabbed two of those pecan chocolate chip cookies and put them in his shirt pocket.

Catching the look from Sha'uri, he made himself be done as he headed swiftly for the shuttle to warm up the engines and get her started again. He had hoped to get a quick nap in, but no such luck.

Moving swiftly to the craft, he opened the back cargo door and left it open for the others to load their things into it from there. It was a fair sized shuttle craft, one designed to transport about a dozen people and house them for a few weeks, up to a few months of space travel or indefinately on grounded expeditions. One could compare it to a double decker bus with triple the width.

Familiar steps took him through the small cargo bay and into the hallway with the small medlab, and a half bathroom, on one side of the hall, and the kitchen/dinning on the other. Further up was the seating area, which was more like a living room with its couches, plush seating, wet bar, large bay windows on either side and a passenger entrance door in the corner leading to the outside. Then there was the cockpit ahead which was partitioned off from the rest. Above the medlab, the kitchen and the seating area was another level. It contained the sleeping quarters that had six bunkbeds and one full bathroom with a shower.

Porthios sat down in the captains chair and began to flip the switches, turning on the engines to warm them up. Then he leaned back to relax and eat the scrumptious donut and take a few moments to just enjoy himself.

She shook her head at Porth, grinning mirthfully at his antics about food.

"The man is a bottomless pit. He could eat, and then really eat."


Finishing her donut, she smiled softly watching the excited Tina race out to beat everyone else to the shuttle. Her sapphire gaze shifted to Anne while she wiped her fingers with a napkin.

"Excited? I am. I can't wait to see you see it again. It's different then what you remember, but it exists. That says something."

She nodded. Indeed, it told of a love for it. She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Last one to the shuttle is a rotten egg!"

And Sha'uri took off running for the shuttle.............

Sha'uri chuckled at her cousin's greenish hue. She had to wonder how Anne would've faired around their grandfather's sometimes rough and basically raw demeanor. The elder Woodshadow could be down right crude sometimes, and right to the core of things. The thought had Sha'uri laughing.

She picked up her skirt and ran out the back door, literally jumping a ten foot with ease as her pace was increased, running as fast as a deer all the way to the shuttle. She scooped Tina up in her arms, slowing as she ran into the open cargo bay.

"Weeeheeehee!!"

She spun the two of them round and round, faster and faster, pulling Tina closer until suddenly, the spinning stopped. Sha'uri remained perfectly still watching Tina as the world spun round them. Her eyes couldn't decide to focus on the world or on Tina, but Sha'uri was ultimately laughing as she tried!

"Wha in Blazes?" Porthios came running into the bay when he heard his Lady screaming, sliding to a stop to survey the area. Realizing she was only playing, Porth laughed, too and moved back inside to the cockpit once again.

Hearing Porth, Sha'uri tried to shift her gaze and focus on him. Regardless of his jovial laugh, she could tell he was tired.
"Porth, just get us through the Nexus, I'll take us home from there."

"Sounds like a plan, M'Lady. Thank ye! I am in much need of sleep." And he was down the hall and gone then.

The food was loaded and the luggage along with it upon the cart outside the kitchen door. Two of the staff climbed atop the cart and nudged the horse into motion towards the shuttle. The cook watched them a moment as they took her hard work away, then she turned round and moved back inside to catch any last minute instructions from the Headmaster before he left, and to begin cleaning up the mess in the kitchen.

:: Suddenly she was picked up and spun around and around she could help but to let out a fit of giggles when she heard Sha'uri say weeeeeeeeee she looked up at Sha'uri when they suddenly stopped her eyes spinning to try and see her but all she saw was a blur of everything else::

:: When she heard Sha'uri was going to be flying it her eyes widened a bit::

You can fly that Sha'uri! Ohhh can I sit with you?!

:: SHe looked up with those big green eyes almost pleading....well after they stopped anyways::

:: Her face was of pure glee when shecould be a copilot if onlyfor alittle while so she gave Sha'uri a Tina hug before she straightened::

:: As they toured the shuttle she was fullof ohhhs and ahhhs atthe increadible things on board...and then they cameto the replicator::

"Simply tell the computer what you want and it will make it. Though you can use it to make food, or just about anything really, I wouldn't want to put the Cook's efforts to waste. Her cooking is so much better then the replicated stuff... though it does well with drinks."

:: She giggled a bit thinking of what things she could make from such a thing and then smiled as they continued the tour::

Sha'uri winked to Tina as the wheels were turning in the child's mind. Then she really tried not to laugh at Bri for his less then enthusiastic fervor of the thing that was going to take them there. For the most part, she was successful except for the bluntly raw spurt of a snicker and the devilishly mirthful grin she cast his direction. A gentle squeeze of his arm was given as she passed by him.

"If you'll all follow me.... we'll get you seated. I have to check over cargo and then we'll be taking off."

Leading them back into the seating area, she quickly showed them how to use the restraining belts so they'd know ... just in case they needed them.

"We normally don't use them except for emergency situations. The ..."

She paused, shifting her gaze to Bri with that grin before she continued,

"...Technology... in the craft compensates for extreme gravity fluxuations so people aren't thrown around from speed and direction changes or go floating in the air from lack of gravity. Course, if anyone wants to float around weightless for a little bit, I can make that happen once we get beyond the atmosphere. I'm going to check cargo and make sure it's secure. If you have any questions, catch me on my way back up."

Sha'uri moved to the back of the shuttle where the staff members were loading in the last bit off the cart. With their help, she made sure all was secure and the food had been put into the kitchen area and into the closet like cooler. There was plenty of lunch and dinner food cooked up, and probably breakfast if they needed it. She hoped it wouldn't come to that.

With everything secured down, she waved goodbye to the staff members and closed the cargo door. Then she was off towards the front, slowing her pace as she went back through the seating area, in case anyone wanted to stop her with a question ..........

The technology aboard the craft brought a wistful smile to the young woman's lips. It reminded her of her days, a child in Secak, marvelling at the inventions of dear Uncle Ty.

With perhaps a bit more bravado, Anne trailed behind Sha'Uri whilst listening to the ship's many bells and whistles.

"Impressive, Cuz. I'm ready."

The worst part, the take off, would be over soon. Then there would be no turning back. Luckily, her goodbyes had been short - a bonus to being the New Face around.

She settled gracefully within one of the seats, not too far from the Headmaster. To say the least, Anne was intrigued by his choice show of magic.

Coming back by, she noticed Anne's interest in Briari's magick. She also noticed his staring intently at that little flicker of black energy. She could only imagine he was waiting to see how leaving, going through the nexus and into another parallel universe would affect it. A sly grin tugged at the corner of her lips.

And then there was Tina... sitting on one of the couches, which was positioned to face one of the big bay windows at a somewhat diagonal position.

"Best seat in the house, hun. Good choice. As for floating, yes you can, as soon as we get through the nexus, I'll knock off the gravity plates for a bit. That is, if no one objects. Fair enough?"

She leaned closer to whisper, "Don't worry, if they do object, we'll just take you up again later this week. Promise!"

She crossed her heart and did some secret scouting signal of truth... or some such thing. Clearing her throat slightly, she asked aloud,

"Does anyone object to the lack of gravity for a bit after we get through the nexus?"

She waited long enough for the answers before she kissed Tina's forehead and tickled her sides.... then gave hugs to everyone else as she moved on up to the cockpit, thinking already about all those pastries, meats, breads, veggies of all sorts to eat, all those wonderfully crafted wares and artwork that would be displayed, the sight of the land being the most profound... She realized just how much she had missed the place... her pace quickened and she disappeared behind the door of the cockpit as it closed behind her.

As the shuttle moved into orbit round this world, the auto pilot was set and engaged. Porth got up from his chair and held a hand for Sha'uri to join him. Taking his hand, she stood up and he turned her to the window.
"What do ye not see that should be at these coordinates?"

She thought a long time, glancing down at the positions and back to the blank emptiness of space.
"I don't see anything here. Isn't this where the satelite is? Our satelite?"

Porth nodded.
"I need ye to think about that place. That's yer end point right now."


Together the two knelt down on the floor of the cockpit and faced one another. He cupped her face with both his hands, gently forcing her to look at him. She could see the browns behind the emerald hues, peeking through in the highlights and depth lines in his irises.

"I need ye to focus, Sha'uri. I mean it. Right here with me.... think first upon yerself, then stretch out to include me...."

That didn't take long, for Porth was a part of her and it was easy to feel at one with him. And as he continued to instruct her, reminding her, that oneness moved out from them together to contain the ship and all within it. Her gaze never left Porthios' eyes.


"Remember that satelite until ye see it within mine. Then look beyond as if ye were there... and then we'll all be."

Whisps of mist swirled round the shuttle, covering completely from view while Sha'uri was staring so intently into those emerald hues that the mist of tears clouded her vision. She felt his forehead against hers, his voice soft and deep nudging her on and bolstering her focus, slowly but truely.

One by one small strands of mist began to move aside, so intent upon that satelite that the mist of her eyes and the whisps clouding arond the ship slowly cleared to reveal that satelite ever so close yet safely along side the shuttle.

Four hours had just passed by, noteceable to the passengers as they knew every minute of it. Yet for Porth and Sha'uri it had seemed an eternity passed through just a moment of time.

Porth laughed softly, "Ye did it, M'Lady... Ye did it!"

He was proud of Sha'uri and exhausted beyond his means as he was drenched with sweat. He slowly collapsed to her for support.


She cast a levitate spell on him and slowly stood weakened by and sweat covered from the ordeal herself, though not as much as he. She cradled him to her as if she were carrying her child and took him up to one of the beds on the upper level and set him down gently, a lingering kiss to his forehead and she left him there to sleep it off, though tieing him in to the bed. Four hours would see them in the system.... Two more hours after that and they would be home.

She returned to the cockpit and input a new course, taking them from orbit on a path towards the Exodii Solar System at warp speeds. After engaging the new course she set a timer for the gravity pads to be offline for about ten minutes once the ship was out of orbit and on its way.

Yes, she had a devilish streak.....

"Attention, this is your copilot speaking. Please brace yourself for a ten minute weightless environment. Please be sure to note the time by the clock on the wall and be ready to fall down when the ten minutes it up. Don't forget the doggy bags under the seats. Oh, and there's still plenty of food in the kitchen. Enjoy!"

As her form floated in the air from the lack of gravity, she grinned just that way and slowly but surely began to make her way to the back, remembering her promise for Tina to play copilot, she would allow it once she got back there ......

:: She giggled a bit as she started to float up into the air her tiny form doing little spins as she cried out:: Master Briarius watch me watch me!

:: She flipped up and pretended to walk on the cieling before diving into the kitchen pressing the replicator on to say popcorn! and with that she tossed out popcorn to have a little fun as she wizzed about catching the curnels in her mouth hoping others would play a bit::

:: She smiled as Master Briarius though as she floated about seeing his uneasyness so she at least tried to make it a bit more pleasant for him::

Let us take a glance ahead of the travellers, a look upon Exodii city, which rests upon the planet Exodii, which of course lies within the Exodii solar system. An area at the center of the known lands of what once was called merely Secak. Above Exodii city, in the mountains which once held Castle WoodShadow, upon the very edge of the WoodShadow compund itself...

Here, amid the other abandoned buildings and such, sat a complex that still was in use, thrumming with activity. It is here where Tylban Gigas-WoodShadow built his lab complex. From this complex came the Androids Rock and his sister Roll, and the multitude that would follow. Here that Alex WoodShadow now too to toil where Tylban had left off on the path of high technology. Now... let's skip most of the grandiousity for now and go deep into the complex, to a somewhat disused storeroom, somewhat dim, the lighting a little intermittent, much like a flourescent light on the verge of blinking out entirely.

Here in this somewhat dusty and neglected area stands a large onyx container, looking a bit odd it actually seems closer to a wide coffin of sorts. Well, this coffin starts moving.

It jumps once, then jumps again, then really jumps!

"Open damn you! I mean, seriously, not only do I wake up in a vertical position but this darn thing won't open... Fine then, KNOCK!"

It was with this utterance and invocation of spell that the cover finally slid aside, nearly off its track, and Luke Gigas, Tylban's younger brother, came out of the coffin, dusting himself off.

"Now then, what's going on..."

Luke took in his surroundings and quirked a brow, noticing the door leading out he started towards it when a sound arose from whence he had come. *Thud!*

"What the..."

Luke turned and looked towards his coffin, to find a female form sprawled facefirst on the floor. Confused, Luke came over to help the lady up, shaking her shoulder in an effort to rouse her.

"Hey, get up... I don't know where you came from, but I commend you for managing to sneak up on me, even if you seemed to have tripped in the process... Come one now... oh darn it all"

Luke finally turned her over, and was confronted with the visage of a lovely young woman, seemingly asleep, with hair of a dark indigo and a fair complexion. A bit surprised, Luke came to notice her arms folded, like she had been resting in a coffin...

"Ack! They buried me with someone?! That's an odd turn indeed!"

It was then Luke noticed a note in her hands, adressed to him, with a familiar handwriting.

Picking it up and giving it a closer look it was that of Tylban Gigas, his brother, who had been later adopted into the WoodShadows in honor of his achievements and overall likability, at least, that's the reasoning he always gave, the goof.

Opening the letter he encountered the following text:

Greetings Luke,

I have stored you away in my labs, for your former home began to fall apart drastically after your most recent rest. Also, your old cave had been moved into by some unfriendly sorts since last you left it. Being safe, I kept you here.

Your "coffin-mate" Is Aria, she's a special prototype andriod that I have left in your care, and I have no doubt you two should get along fine. I leave her with you because I may not be around when she wakes up. I ask that you please take care of her and wish you both well.

Dearly,
Tylban Gigas-WoodShadow

Luke stowed the letter away and looked to the smaller form of the female android before him, he gave her a final shake and sighed

"Looks like she's not awake yet for me either. So Tyl's left me a doll to play with, alright. How about we both get out of this rather depressing little room."

Luke reached down and picked up the girl, noticing her actually fairly light, despite her size and probable construction. He slung her over his shoulder in a bit of a fireman's carry, making his way out of the storeroom and into the complex proper...

((We now return you back to your regularly scheduled plotline, expect further from Luke and company as events unfold on the spacefarers' ends))

"Computer, Add Curse Change for Exodii Planet"

"Acknowledged." came the reply from the computer, along with a few strange blipps and bleeps as it worked in the navigation changes.


With happy eyes, Sha'uri watched Tina for a moment.

"Sha'uri..whats her name?"

"Who?"

She realized then who Tina meant.

"Oh, you mean the computer? She doesn't really have a name except for the Ship's name... which this shuttle is called The Stardust. Well, it's not really a she, it's just that most ships are given female names and now voices for the sole reason that many ships have been dubbed as being a She for many centuries in many places. Earth was probably the biggest one to do this. It had something to do with the fact that most sailors were gone so long on a ship that they were with the ship more then they were their own wives. So, the ships were dubbed as the wife away from the wife, thus... a She. Make any sense?"

Luke continued his way down the passageway, the sleeping Aria still over his shoulder, he had a feeling he was lost, or that maybe something was a bit off. He grumbled to himself for not visiting the complex more often, as his bearings were straied as it was.

"Darn it all... could have sworn w\there was a hatch or door or something here"

---Dianostics complete, re-connecting sensory imputs---
---Now loading sensory backlogs... Done. New sensory and audio data collected---

Aria's consciousness resumed as her latest diagnostic completed. she went over her sensory backlogs, getting ready to start another cycle when her processor nearly stopped in its tracks.

~He's Awake~

Having been on strict orders to wake up when Mister gigas' brother awoke she initiated her startup procedures to get online as soon as possible, cursing herself for not noticing things sooner. Soon her eyelids fluttered and then her eyes opened.

She took in her situation, just managing to catch Luke complain about his current predicament.

"Um... hello. Perhaps I can assist you Mr. Gigas?"

Luke nearly jumped out his skin, He was just about to ask who was there when he noticed the body he was carrying felt warmer suddenly, and he could have sworn he felt breath on his back.

"Don't startle me like that, though it's comforting to know you've woken up, my shoulder was starting to get sore"

Luke grinned at that, he long since stopped feeling that sort of discomfort. He set Aria to her feet and stepped back. She was the visage of a lovely young lady, alright, very realistic, except maybe for the rather unnatural hair and eye color... her eyes, those were a light violet, and quite a stark contrast to her hair, of a much darker purple. Luke brought himself back to the situation at hand.

"Well, I think we're in a bit of a basement, but I'll be darned if I can find a way out"

Aria looked around slowly and located a hatch access point, accessing the panel the hatch opened, only to reveal a near solid plate behind it, with just a sliver of a gap to one corner.

"We are in the basement area, but there appears to have been a shift in position, either down here or in the facility above, instead of a lower hatchway, most of the plating under the facilty is in the access point... perhaps from a failed launch of the lab facility, a botched landing, or some seismic activity. I will attempt to discern exactly how offset we are, please wait a moment."

She closed her eyes and chanted softly, summoning an eye of remote sight and sending it thrugh the small gap of the hatch, managing to access the area above she was able to find out their relative location, and scout a landing spot for a teleport.

No sooner than she was done with that she stepped to Luke and embraced him, casting a teleport spell upon them, and bringing them to the facility above.

Luke stood by and let her do her thing, though was quite surprised not only to see her actually cast magic but with her sudden hug and the second spell she cast. He was a little nonplussed and took a few moments to come back to his senses and push the girl back a bit

"Woah woah woah.... The note said you're an android, right? Since when could you all do magic?"

Aria slowly opened her eyes, looking a little tired.

"Oh, my unique power core and systems allow me to tap into magical energies around me, and form them into spells much as most standard mages. I'm sorry, I should have properly introduced myself and stated my capabilities. I may have started up too quickly."

She blinked and refocused her gaze, extending a hand in greeting.

"I am Aria, an advanced artificial human construct, utilizing various types of energy-accumulation as well as a 'magical engine' design, allowing for complete self-sufficientcy in a magic-supporting environment. It is a pleasure to meet you at last Mr. Gigas"

Luke took her hand and smiled, laying a soft kiss to the back of her hand instead of shaking it.

"Hey, no worries, I'm a bit groggy myself, and just call me Luke. Mr. Gigas makes me feel old."

Me knew he was old, by human standards, but he still looked and felt young enough.

"It's nice to meet you Aria, I see Tylban still has a penchant for musical names then... However, I'd say it fits you well."

Aria blushed softy in response to Luke's actions and nodded.

"Th-thank you sir... I mean, thank you Luke."

Aria slowly withdrew her hand, running her other hand over it before looking down the hall, gesturing"

"I believe central control is this way Luke. I'd recommend checking there in order to catch up to what might have happened as we both slept."

Luke grinned and tok Aria by the shoulder and leading her down the hall at his side.

"Well, let's go see what the heck's been going on..."

And with that they made their way down the hall...

((Okay, not exactly home right now, so more to come, once I get back I think))

As the spark of magick went out, Briarius blanched and grasped a pendant at his neck. He chanted a few words and nothing happened. He looked lost and scared. It almost looked like he was about to die. He was shaking violently and sweat was pouring off of him. After a short time, the magick spark returned and Briarius seemed to pull himself together.

He dismissed his spell when they landed. He was cordial and when behind a closed door, began to quietly have his panic attack he had been staving off.

The next morning, everyone was gathered to the dinning room where breakfast was served. Guards escorted them all to the shuttle again where they were taken down to the city.


The flight down showed the city in festivities already. The streets were decorated with the things nature had given, corn stalks, varous pumpkins, brilliantly arrainged flowers, artwork sculptures made of leaves in a myriad of shapes as varied as sandcastles on a beach all lined along the street and walkways.

The sun was warm and bright, the air cool crisp and light, and wide varieity of colors in the turning of the leaves ranged in contrast from browns, oranges, yellows and reds to purples dark and light, pinks and blues in a range of hues, too. Music played and people were already gathering in the streets while waiting for the beginning of the official Festivities to begin.

The shuttle landed on Woodshadow grounds in the yard of Tylban's old experimental complex. Alexander, along with a different set of guards, exited the building to formally greet them all. It seemed any more these days, this place had become his home.

"Greetings, Mother. I'm glad you're home safely. We've missed you. Harvest Fest wouldn't be right without you here."
Alex gave his mother a warm heartfelt hug, which she returned in kind. His emerald hues looked over those there, not knowing Briarius or Tina, but to Annelise, his handsome angular features seemed to show some recognition, mirth sparked in his eyes.
"I know you... Aren't you one of Aphrodyte's daughters?"


"Alex, this is Anneliese." Sha'uri introduced him again to his cousin. Then she put her hand upon Tina's shoulder and waited patently for the cousins to reunite a bit before introducing more Family...


"I thought so. You're as beautiful as I remember your mother being. The people will be thrilled to see a Woodshadow come home again... as am I. Welcome home, Cousin!" Alexander gave her a very warm, heartfelt hug.

Oh, what a trip. Their anti-gravity jaunt was followed by the return of Anne's voracious appetite. She made a good dent in the supplies of food they had brought along, as there was little to do but wait.

That WoodShadow blood, it was a marvelous thing. They neared the planet of Exodii, the city of Exodii, and its nearness tugged on her heartstrirngs. Anne was a bundle of anticipation, and it very much looked as if she would jump ship if their arrival took a second longer.

As the Stardust settled for Landing, Anne was already loosening her safety belt and rising from her seat. She rushed towards the open hatch, grinning wide at the sight of home.

Ah, Sha'uri had warned her that Secak had changed. Anne just never envisioned how much . . .

Her initial disappointment was quickly stifled by the festive atmosphere. After all, who could refuse a party? She followed dutifully to her quarters. The woman in her spent a large part of the night arranging the bags and the many varied clothing she had bought. Oi, the accountants at Blueflame Keep would not like the bill Anne had sent to them. These clothes represented a rather large chunk of change.

After a short rest and shorter breakfast, an eager Annelise followed Sha'uri and crew to the main city. She exited the shuttle..and finally saw something that reminded her of the home she remembered.

A lump rose in her throat as she viewed the old complex. Vague memories of Uncle Ty came to mind. The doors swung open, and Anne half expected to see him emerge. But no, it was Alexander, a man she had never met. There was a certain resemblance between him and his mother, it seemed. .

"I know you... Aren't you one of Aphrodyte's daughters?"


"Alex, this is Anneliese." Sha'uri introduced him again to his cousin.

"I thought so. You're as beautiful as I remember your mother being. The people will be thrilled to see a Woodshadow come home again... as am I. Welcome home, Cousin!" Alexander gave her a very warm, heartfelt hug.

Annelise slid her arms around him, also sincere in her hug.

"I've missed those words. Thank you, Alex. I know I'll enjoy this homecoming. "

While Alex was hugging Anne, Sha'uri glanced in Bri's direction. The look she gave him held a thousand words, feelings ... confusion, dissapointment, understanding, forgiveness, compassion, appology, hope.

She'd been holding off the adoption of Tina, and she was to the point that she would do it with or without him. Though she was a little hurt that he'd been putting off the answer so long... yet she understood some of why he hesitated, perhaps even more then what he thought.

Guilt seeped in a bit. Perhaps she should'n't have insisted he come, especially after seeing that pale visage of his turn more pale last night, though she was unsure if it was the anti magic zone that did it, or if he was sensing her mother in this place . . . . Sha'uri sensed her mother's essence more keenly in the magic lines then she remembered in a long time.


Alex pulled from the hug and stepped back.
"No doubt you've noticed some changes, Anne. In spite of that, some things don't change, like the Harvest Fest. It's as grand as it's ever been. We still parade through town as the Woodshadows have done for so long. There's our float over there."

He lifted his thumb to nonchallantly point in the direction of the Castle looking float pulled by six white horses and the lead horse, one larger black horse with a white star upon his forehead.

Alex turned his attention to the small child by his mother. From his tall height, he looked down to her, tucked a strand of that dark red hair behind his ear, then leaned down to extend a hand to Tina with a warm mirthful smile sparkling in his emerald hues.

"And who might this lovely little lady be?"

"This is Tina Storms, Alex. Tina, this is my son, Alexander." Sha'uri spoke up, shifting her gaze from Bri to her son with a silent conversation.

" A pleasure to meet you, Tina. I've always wondered what it would be like to have a little sister." He winked and shook her hand gently before turning it to kiss the back of her hand with a graceful bow. Rising, Alexander shifted his gaze to Briarius.

"Alex, this is Briarius, your grandmother's first husband." Sha'uri introduced him as well. "Bri, this is my Son, Alexander... My first born."

As Alex raised a curious brow and extended a hand to Briarius,
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Sir. My mother has spoken of you before. It's an honor to finally get to meet you."

He barely got in the handshake when the familiar voice snuck in on everyone. Now he knew what that noise was from down the hallways earlier. He remembered his Great Uncle Luke probably more so then his Great Uncle Tylban. Of course, he was his mother's favorite Uncle and so Alex knew better then to get in the way of his mother's greeting to her dear uncle Luke. Besides, it gave him time to check out the friend his uncle brought with him. He had his Grandpa Pyriathin's devilish grin.
"Dark Indigo hair... kickin."

Sha'uri let out a peel of joy,
"Ahhhh! Uncle Luke!"
She picked up her skirt and ran over to him, practically jumped him into a big 'ol bear hug with little kisses all over his face. And the twenty questions began to pour fourth.
" Where have you been? I"ve missed you so much! Are you all right?What have you been doing? How'd you get here? I can't believe you're here. Where were you hiding?!"

Luke grinned and hugged Sha'uri back firmly. When the kisses subsided a bit he chuckled and tried to reply in order.

"Let's see... I've been sleeping. I missed you all too, I feel alright, little hungry maybe. My brother seems to have stashed me away in the basement here, and left one of his prototypes with me to take care of."

Me smiles and gestured to Aria

"Everyone, meet Aria, she's an android prototype Tylban made, had she not told me so I would've taken her as a human. Oh, here's the kicker, she's able to use magic, pretty wild, huh?"

Aria looked around slowly. She summoned a nervous smile, managing to curtsy finally.

"Hello"

Luke blinked and swatted himself on the side of the head.

"Of Course... silly me. Aria, This lovely lady here is Sha'uri, and over there is Alex, who I hear is taking care of this place... I don't envy you for it, I tinker a bit but Tyl was always way over my head in this technology bit. Let's see, then we have... um... hold on, my mind feels half asleep yet... I'll get it any minute now..."

He was obviously a bit stumped past that point, his recollection of only two people of the group seemed rather inadequate to him, but was darned if he could remember any more. He eventually gave up and gave a bit of an appologetic bow.

"I'm sorry, my memory fails me, and I'm certain I've not met some of you before."

Luke poked Sha'uri, and gave her a bit of a 'fill me in' look.

Alexander heard the chanted spell and didn't have to know what it was to understand that Briarius was uncomfortable to the extreme. His glance was brief in the Headmaster's direction, though the slanted grin was kept in place as he warmly clasped Bri's shoulder, long digits squeezed gently while Alex whispered.
"Magical mind alterations and illusions don't work on me... just an FYI. You should also be careful what you wish for... There are some who strongly believe that my Grandma might be inclined to comply... or deny."
Then he spoke louder as he let go of Bri's shoulder while he offered an escorting hand to Tina and an arm for Anne.
"Ah, let's go meet Great Uncle Luke. Shall we?"

Sha'uri eventually let go of Luke as his answers came.... though a slight nervousness was noticed at the mention of his lack of recent sustenance, yet he seemed to be okay. The warm cordial smile and a matching handshake was offered to Aria.

"Marvelous! Nice to meet you, Aria. My goodness, a magic using droid? That IS phenomenal achievement indeed. Uncle Tyl was always way ahead of things, not to mention his taste in decor and the like. You're a very lovely droid, Aria. I hope you'll find this as much your home as it is to us. You're among family here."

"Magic using droid?" It was Alex's voice with the unmistakable awestruck curiosity in the tones. His thoughts were immediately on the blue prints for such a thing. "I've gOt to see those B.P's!"


Sha'uri giggled at being poked.
"Okay, Okay! I'll do the rounds."

And around to each person she went, saying their name's and introducing them all again. All except for Briarius were introduced, having only paused briefly where he had been standing before.... and then she merely shook her head as if staving off a bout of de ja vous from her mind. It was as if Sha'uri didn't see him at all.

In truth, the moment Bri chanted the spell, it was enhanced by something, as if exaggerated ten fold. So strong, Sha'uri was effected by it. Not only did she not see him, Sha'uri didn't remember Bri at all.... as if to her, he didn't exist or had ever existed. All memory of him had been tricked into being forgotten.

Alex gave her an odd look, as he was not affected by the magic. "You okay mom?"

"Fine, why?"

"Forgetting anyone?"

She looked around in ernest and shook her head. "Nope. Why? is there someone else here I"m not seeing?"

"Bri.."

"Who? Brian Ravenlock?" she looked at her son as if he were a bit strange, or for how he knew Brian Ravenlock.

He looked at her likewise, then shook his head.
"No, Mom... Never mind. I just meant to say the brilliant and wonderful Nightstar leading the float. We should head on over that way."

"Right you are. Shall we?"
She motioned toward the float with renewed excitement to get on with the days events. Part of the guards began to lead the way, the other part were waiting for the rest of them before they would follow behind.

:: She looked over to Master Briarius first before she took the hand and then smiling she made her way over...? The spell did not seem to affect her really...and if one could see the weaves of magic closely the seemed to..well go around her instead of through her like most...it seemed as if the spell was not singled out on just her it just simply would not work....and thats when it became obvious when she lightly tugged on master Briarius's hand::

Come on Master Briarius...dont you want to meet uncle Luke?

:: Her bright green eyes looked up at him curiously ashse lightly pulled him to go over with her to catch up with Alex hoping that Master Briarius would come with her::

::She beamed as she looked at the diamond her eyes catching the light that shined from it before she snuck it away and nodded to him ...well sort of...more like a big ole Tina hug and then more hurrying to catch up with Alex her eyes alight with glee...he called her his little Tina...that made her really happy to hear adn she was not afraid to show that.::

:: She waved Alex down so she and Master Briarius could catch up and then off they went to see Uncle Luke::

Luke had started to Follow Sha'uri when that familiar energy washed over him, causing him to stop in his tracks.

"...Shara?"

He glanced skyward, slowly looking back down, only to witness Sha'uri's trip. He instinctively leapt forward, hoping to catch her as she fell, but was to late to stop her impact, helpless as her head hit that corner. He arrived to catch her before she tumbled to the ground, carefully lifting her up and turning her over... then his body froze.

Blood. It flowed from the wound on her head, it looked so red and so... delicious...

Luke caught ahold of himself, reining in hs vampiric thirst. It had been tugging at him oh so strongly since he had awoken.

He handed Sha'uri to her son, closing his eyes and stumbling off a few steps, hand held tight over his mouth, as it to resit his fangs and thirst, pushing back the dark instincts.

Aria nearly ran into Luke when he had stopped, then was surpised by his sudden leap forward that she nearly lost her balance, her step faltering. By the time she had regained it she saw Sha'uri hit the float, gasping, she rushed forwards as well and had gotten to her by the time Luke had handed her to Alex.

Aria did not stop to think and only acted, the healing spell hardly forming on her lips before she had cast it. Her special gift, the magic engine, went into overdrive. The healing spell unleased in a powerful pulse of magical energy that banished the wound as if it had never occurred, and even removing some signs of older wounds.

Aria smiled softy then, and fell back. Her eyes dimming as her systems shut down.

"Woah, woah, Woah!

Luke had managed to recover by then and caught Aria, easing her into his arms.

"We've got enough people falling over as it is, be careful there..."

Then Luke noticed those blank eyes. He shivered, the empty stare unnerving him a bit. He looked to Sha'uri, and was shocked, that metal had cracked her skull most assuredly, but there she was good as new, hardly even a spot of blood on her forehead...

Luke looked to Aria again, the little android hardly knew her, yet had apparently summoned all the power she could to heal his niece. He kissed the android softly on the forehead and whispered.

"Thank you Aria."

The magic engine stirred once again, and Aria's eyes blinked.

She took in a breath, and released it, it was burning hot, and created a visible vapor of steam as it escaped. She then took another breath, and that one came out cooler. Slowly, she began to breath regularly, and her internal temperature dropped. Her eyes refocued and blinked lazily, as if she was merely waking up, looking to Luke.

"You're welcome Luke... I... I think I can stand again..."

Aria kept a hand on Luke, steadying herself as she once again took her feet, then stood on her own. She smiled to Luke, noticing that look of confusion on his face, as he no doubt wondered how she had heard him in the state she was in. Well, that was for her to know and him to find out. She merely grinned and said:

"All systems functional."

Dazed. The wound was deep, cracked through the skull. All Sha'uri could think about was the pain in her head. Not even the spin of the world around her, or the appearance of her uncle's face and assurance of his strong arms could save her from the stunned sensation that held her brain frozen. She saw that look in Luke's eyes, the starvation in their depths and felt helpless to help him and would not have been able to stop him.

That throbbing in her head .... she finally lifted her hand to touch the spot and felt the slick warm fluid, the blood vividly bright on her hand as she looked to it. She was only vaguely aware of her being passed to her son. And then the woman's voice followed by the bright light seemed to wash it all away...

Alex breathed a sigh of relief as he helped his mother stand again. The wound was healed, the blood was gone, mostly, and he looked to Aria to thank her. He'd been stunned by her action. Now as he watched her, seeing her in Luke's arms, he put his own two and two together and sighed.

Sha'uri lifted a brow at that sigh.
"What's that sigh for?"

Alex sighed again. "Oh... you should tell me to make that portal top priority."

"Okay, it's top priority. Why?" she grinned.

"So I don't spend my every moment trying to find Aria an upgrade that'll allow her to cast her spells without passing out."

Sha'uri chuckled softly, "Come on... let's get on that float so we can start this parade."

She cast a cantrip to clean up what little blood was left. Then she moved to Tina and picked her up in her arms with a hug to reassure her it was okay. "That's my girl."

Then she sauntered over to Bri and took him by the hand, pausing as her gaze locked with his. There was nothing different about her eyes, or hair, or anything. There was only an appology in their depths for forgetting to introduce him. She had not one clue why she'd done that. The last few moments had been very... wierd for her and she wasn't even sure of all that had happened or what she'd sensed. She squeezed his hand gently and likewise tugged him along with her.

Then she moved by Luke and Aria.

"Luke, Aria... meet Briarius Ravensheart. Bri this is my uncle Luke and his friend Aria."

She waited a moment before she spoke up again.

"Aria... Thank you so much for what you did. I appreciate your help. That was a very selfless thing to do. But I'm afraid you've inspired my son quite assuredly. ... Not that that's a bad thing, mind you. Just that, he'll probably pester you for blueprints or something....."

She grinned with a harmless wink and said no more on it.

"Now, let's to the float!"


As if on cue, Alex had moved to Anne took hold of her arm, escorting her to the float as they all moved to get on the castle and take positions up on the top of the very front tower.

:: Mother...adopt..her eyes were wide and brimming with tears...before she even said or no..she was sobbing and hugging Sha'uri her smile so large and happy..its as if the world was suddenly filled with all the light it could hold::

Yes!..yes yes yes..please...

:: She just could not stop hugging Sha'uri..this was such a happy moment for her:

"...and what good is a mother without a father?"

The Headmaster got down on one knee and stopped Tina.

"Do you want a father as well?"

The Headmaster picked her up as he rose. The look of concern was apparent to Sha'uri, but the way he held Tina kept it from her view.

Secak had her in a state. After so many years away from the realm, even a realm so vastly changed into a universe, coming back was a heady experience! The magic churned within her WoodShadow Blood, and caused Anne's pale cheeks to flush with a healthy, rather drunken ruddy pink hue.

So many things had happened. Uncle Luke made his appearance, and Anne gasped with the glimmer of recognition that followed. She remained silent, though..in part from surprise, and in part from the growing sense of power that flooded her veins.

And what could increase that glorious feeling but the wash of energy imparted in the celestial form of Sharalis?

It all had her wowed, so that the arm that Alex offered was well accepted and appreciated. Annelise took her position on the tower beside her second cousin, and offered a wan smile as the float began to pull away.

Alex's whispered question drew the young woman from her revery. Wide emeralds blinked at the public display of Sha'Uri, Tina, and Bri.

"Well . . I'd have to say they're very happy. But I think we all are, right now." She paused a moment, and sights strayed to the scene overhead, the recently formed heavens and their promises of an eternity of adventure.

"Its like life has started over again. I wish Alissa were here for this. She would have loved to see all of this, and all of you."

"On a lighter and much brighter note, there are several announcements I must give. The first is, I have been away in recent months to a school on RhyDin known as the Ravensheart School for the Gifted. Briarius Ravensheart, my mother's former husband as some of you may remember him... Runs the school and I have been there helping him."

She paused to motion Bri and Tina up to where she stood in better view of the crowd, waiting until they were there beside her before she continued. They could see several bilboard sized monitors along the path televising their images up for display.

"We have decided to adopt a girl as our own. Her name is Tina Storms and it is unknown the wereabouts of her parents or family. I found her an abandoned orphan on RhyDin and have taken her in under my care. Search for the orphanage or any information has been down a dead end so far. It has been long enough and she, like any child, needs a proper home. I have grown attached to her as has Briarius and we have decided to adopt her together. So, She will be considered my daughter and that of Briarius. As for what last name she will use, that will be decided by her at a later time. If there is actually any information that anyone has concerning her family or orphanage, please bring it to my attention, or Briarius', by contacting any judicial authority and we will discuss the situation, most assuredly. Please welcome Tina as my daughter and Briarius as her Father."

The crowds cheered in welcome as she presented Bri and Tina. She waited for this to die down and continued.

"Next, I want to talk about someone who is responsible for so much of the accomplishments of Exodii in recent years. Tylban Gigas Woodshadow and his talents have certainly launched Exodii into a revolution of change on our planet and in our lives. His creation of the androids, such as Rock and Roll, has brought about a technological revolution which has given us many things here today. Though he is still lost to us, we can celebrate the return of his family member here today. Please welcome back Luke Gigas and his companion Aria."

She motioned Luke and Aria up on the platform to stand on the other side of her from Bri and Tina. The crowds cheered again in greeting, whistles and hoozah's all around, and Sha'uri waited patiently for that to die down before the next announcement was made.

"Okay, okay, that reminds me, Concerning the Portals to RhyDin... You all know that some of them don't work at all. You may have recently noticed the rest of the portals not working quite right, again. There's been a shift and the portals will need to be adjusted. I want to reassure you all, especially the merchants who rely on RhyDin for their livelyhood, that those portals will be adjusted as soon as we can. Alexander will be working on them diligently very soon. He will also be working on a jump gate from here to RhyDin so that access by space can be accomplished more swiftly then before."

The crowd cheered again.

"Now for the last announcement, but certainly not the least, I'd like you all to welcome back a member of the Woodshadow Family. In light of Aphrodyte's death, which is a shadow upon all of Secak, we are blessed and I am truly thankful for the return of her daughter, my cousin, Annelise Woodshadow!"

Sha'uri stepped to the side and alowed Alex to bring Anne up beside her. The crowd seemed silent for a moment after that until the roar of the crowd washed over them in a wave after wave of greeting.


"Annelise, as a member of the Woodshadow Family, I normally do honors to start the parade. But today, that honor is yours to lead the way. Welcome Home."

Sha'uri hugged Anne and then handed the microphone to her, step-ping away to be by Bri and Tina as the parade was now placed into Anne's hands.


Alexander remained with Anne, lending her support in every way.

:: She beamed she smiled and most importantly she practially Tackled her small frame into Sha'uri when she made the announcement to all these people!...beaming all the more when she found she now had a cousin..an uncle...and a Brother!..she had a big brother now too!...as the parade started all she could do was shed happy tears of Joy...for this the happiest day of her life::

-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
:: She smirked a bit hearing the announcement...boy..wont Cutter be a bit displeased to find that the girl was now the daughter of the Woodshadows...grinning evilly she decided to play one small trick...a..thermal detonator was rolled out to the floats as she vanished into smoke and drifted of for a better chance to hear the screams::

::They wouldn't find a trace of her on the camera's..well not enough..the would see a shady outline of a woman but no more...an assasin they were dealing with...but a simple one...if any traces of the detonator was found they would find it an expertly made bomb but so common it was hard to trace....this assasin was good...and clever for she knew how their security worked by now...they could tell she had no intention of killing them since the detonator was given plenty of time for them to stop it...she was good....she was Shati...Shati of the Night ....but even she did not hear the Hidden feet as she was caught and knocked unconsious::
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ----------

With the parade now over, Luke took a moment to dig into his vest, removing a small flask of blood. After a careful examination, he found the enchantments upon the bottle to be mosty intact, meaning it would still be reasonably fresh.

Not really sparing a moment he opened the flask and downed it. The additive that helped keep it from clotting made it taste rather sour, but it would sustain him for a while, or until he could get ahold of some bloodwyne or someone willing to donate.

Luke took in the offer and pondered, glancing to the citadel above and back to town, where things had gotten rocky for a bit, but settled quickly enough. No doubt they had some stories to tell about the time he had been asleep...

Then again, the citadel was new to him. It reminded him a bit of the old Gigas Manor, all floating like it was. It no doubt held as interesting a mix of magic and technology as he had seen so far...

"Hmmm.... Well, I'm unsure. I'm up to go wherever."

Aria was still a bit unsure of things, as she had only activated about an hour ago. She nodded.

"Yes, I will be fine with whatever is chosen as well."

:: Well there was no way she was leaving her mother so she moved closer to her side hugging her waist a bit as they followed the man her eyes however were curious as to what was going on..there was a ruckus but she had no idea why...so she did the best she could...shhe smiled and let time do the rest::

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

:: Groaning a bit she awoke in the holding cell and looked about slowly her hand going to her head as she winiced a bit..no doubt they would have taken all her tools of her trade and something else...they took her arm band..she was furious...that was the last thing they should have taken from her...immediately she started up a ruckus in her cell.....it was her mothers holo band...and she would be damned if she was giving that up...calming down she sat in the center of her cell and waited for her interrogators to arrive::

Meanwhile,

Sha'uri's hand was placed on her duaghter's shoulder, giving her a pat on the back. Then her long digits searched for Tina's hand, taking it gently in her own grasp as they followed the Mayor. The man seemed pleased as they moved to an open cairrage awaiting them all.


Sha'uri puased beside the mayor and whispered, "Would appreciate a bit of blood wine for my uncle if you'd be so kind as to have someone see to his needs?"

The mayor nodded understanding. "There'll be some waiting at the park."

Once everyone was aboard, the carriage, along with two guards, they drove to the Park near the center of town. It was then that the shuttle took off, heading back to the Citadel above.

A crowd was gathering around the park, curious as to what was behind the barriers that had things so hidden for so long. As the carriage stopped, several more guards were there, helping to escort the passenger's off, one of the guards handed Luke a bottle of bloodwine.

They moved up to a platform with a few short rows of chairs and a podium to face the gathering crowd. The mayor motioned for them to sit down while the guards stood behind the chairs, doing their guardly things. The mayor went to the podium and began to speak.

"Citizens of Exodii, Today has been a special day indeed, with the return of a Woodshadow and family that have guided us all for so long. Not only have they been a guide but a saving grace to all our lives. If it weren't for some, we would all have been strewn into a black hole somewhere out there in space. And today we give thanks to our saviours and show our appreciation by turning this park into a display of that day. We have made these images as some were given vision of what occured during that time that our saviors showed us such grace. This is only the beginning, for there were various seers with slightly different versions and visions of others not seen by everyone. We started with the saviors that were present in them all. They are the center and core of the new park. We will also have other displays, as we now have the statues of the Woodshadow Clan finished and another area displaying some of our war heros and government officials, people who have been a great influence to the developement of our lives and prosperity. Citizen after today, Central Park will be no more. Today, it is my privealage to present, Divine's Pathway."

The curtians dropped to show off the new park and people clapped. Sha'uri was speachless and thankful she was sitting down. She'd expected the usual statue, but these were all so excellently done, lifelike and colorful with apparent movement from holographic enhancers.

In the core were physical statues of her Mother and Father. Her mother, Sharalis, stood 5'7", platinum blonde hair to about mid back, emerald Sapphire hues with an emerald depth and dimples in her smile upon that beautiful angelic visage. Her father, Pyriathin, stands tall at 6'8" and is athletically built. A pair of raging sapphire flames are set into an angular face which is framed by long raven hair tied back with a leather strap. His clothes are all black, silk and Armani with a pair of black leather boots buffed to a high shine. Their backs were to each other yet touching as the hologram displayed the magic that poured from the two to the hunks of land being moved, people clinging to it, each other and arms out stretched some to them, some towards another set of statues.

This set had Sha'uri in tears, a sad smile upon her lips that trembled. The display was of her and Rick Nightstar, a human jedi as tall as she, with green eyes and blonde hair, wearing his ships suit and the emblem of the Hue Empire. The two were facing each other, his gaze was on her as his arm held her tight to him literally keeping their hearts touching as if they were infused together at the heart... and they literally were... while she leaned slightly back with arms outstretched. The expressions on their faces held such a depth, one could almost taste the emotion pouring from them, of love so pure for life.

The hologram played showing the power with a beam of light that flowed from thier connected hearts and outward, touching each soul as if with protection. Rick's free arm seemed pointing as the hologram displayed moving pieces coming together gently to yet another...

Some of the known Gods of other places, like Corellon, and even the Dark Lords were there with their hand in the salvation of Secak. The whole thing was such a small piece of that time, yet it showed a powerful display of the forces of light and dark banding together to survive....


Sha'uri was speechless, couldn't say a word as the tears flowed, obviously touched and pleased with the sentiment and yet... she couldn't take her eyes off of Rick, as if she'd never having seen that look on him before. Inside, it hurt and it was hard for her to hide that from the depths. On went the smile as the Mayor held up scissors and beckoned Sha'uri to come forward. That's when she noticed the ribbon. As soon as she got over there, the Mayor spoke up again.

"Sha'uri it would be an honor for you to cut the ribbon not only as a member of House Woodshadow, but as a representative to the Gods themselves. Honor us with your blessing upon this display."


Sha'uri took the scissors and wiped a tear away.

"I'm... I'm touched and pleased with this.... I really hadn't expected anything quite like .. this." she nodded, her voice thick with emotion.

"Thank you all. You have my blessing, as I'm sure the blessing of all those involved. May this story survive long through the years, that the lessons therein be known and felt, never forgotten. Love can be a truly powerful thing, looking past to the core of what's right... for I can truly say that it played it's part in your survival."

She quickly cut the ribbon, unable to speak any more. A hug was given by the mayor and Sha'uri moved away as the crowd moved in to walk through the now open Divine's Pathway.

Coming bakc to Tina, she picked her up and hugged her close, needing to hug someone and was glad for it to be her.

"Tisk, tisk.."
Reese snatched the item back and placed it in his pocket.

"I guess you don't care to talk. Too bad really. I was going to give you items for information but... . I'll just have the guards take this band to be incinerated then, since you won't cooperate."

He stood up and began to move towards the guards, though slowed his speed and turned round to view her.

"Unless, you wish to change your mind?"

Reese crossed his arms and cocked his head slightly for a few moments. Then he took out the bracelet again, coming back a few steps where he paused. The use of the word Mother in place of Bracelet didn't go unnoticed.

"All right then. Tell me your name, your reason for the assasination attempt and who your employer for this job is. The more details you give, the more honesty you have will give me more reason to give you back your... bracelet."

The door opened as Reese was speaking and the guards let Captain Nevarre enter. He appeared the elder, if not almost identical to Reese himself, except with salt and pepper hair and eyes that seemed older, wiser and kinder. Nevarre's gaze was keenly upon the woman but it was obvious he, too, was waiting to hear her answer....

The Headmaster was still silent but lingered behind to stare at the statue of Sharilis.

"Gods...you did change after I left.", he said quietly to the statue.

He looked down and then back up at the statue.

"I'm sorry..."

He just stood there.

Nevarre stepped closer to Reese and took the bracelet. Then he moved to within two feet of the cell.

"I know who you are and I won't make you say his name."

He briefly tapped his brow, nodding assuredly with a kind smile.

"I am Captain Nevarre and I don't doubt your words. However we have to let you go... due process was breeched. So... we no longer have legal right to hold you. However..."

The shields went down while Reese just looked at his father with wide eyes obviously wondering if Nevarre was serious. Nevarre held up the bracelet for Shati. He looked utterly serious.

"We did find some medical anomolies within you during our scans of you. Some... growths or something maybe cancerous I don't know. I'm not a doctor... but they say it will be fatal if not properly taken care of. We could transport you to our medical facility where they can take care of the problem. They say you may not be feeling the effects now, but in time.... and sometimes in a very short amount of time, you will feel it. course, by then, it might be too late. will you go?"

Nevarre had been briefed on the outcome of the scans while he was in flight on his way up to the Citadel. Knowing there was a device, a plan was formed with tentative directions, so the cancer implications were a ruse, among other aspects. As they had discovered what the device was really for, he knew which plan to go with.

He saw it in her eyes as they began to roll back when she went unconscious, and so he caught her before she fell too far. He tapped the communicator pin on his chest.

"Plan C, Now."

The two were transported up to the ship and directly to the medical facility. The device was filtered out of her during the transport and destroyed, sent into space in a billion pieces. The medical staff were immediately giving her aid as the trasport was finished. The Captain stepped back out of the way.

"We'll do what we can, Sir, though there is a chance she might not survive it. You might want to have the clerics stand by for ressurection."

Shati was placed onto a medical bed, strapped in with several devices to keep her unconscious and immobile while they worked to fix the damage caused by the now absent device in her head, reconnecting nerves and tissue, etc..... Their tools were well advanced, compliments of the Hue Empire, so not a scalpul was used to cut her.

Nevarre sent a telepathic message to Sha'uri while moved to the waiting room to have a seat.

~Forgive the intrusion. Your Clerical services may be needed on the ship. Unexpected devices responsible. I have not fully questioned her yet.~

:: The procedure went with only minor complications...but a big help was her brain had somehow already started fixing intself..what ever sort of hybrid she was it was obvious she was advance to heal herself in such an advance way....though it didn't help that her mind kept shorting out minor sorts of equipment::

:: A few minutes after the procedure however she was already waking despite the devices...her body quickly adapted..she may be weak but..she was flexible in a sense...if one were to ever actually look at the holo bracelet it would show her and a female doctor...she was sure after she awoke they would have many more questions..and since they freed her..she would gladly answer::

:: She looked about the area as she awoke her voice whispering::

Cutter....he..he goes..by...Cutter..

::and then she passed out::

Ye gods, Sha'uri spoke truth. Some things never changed . . . and some changed entirely too much.

The realization had thrust Anne into a state of contemplation. She looked on with a somber expression, as the statues of Sharalis and Pyri were unveiled. The show brought a tear to her eye.

Oh, she missed her mother.

Inwardly, thoughts fired with increasing frequency. Do not forget why you left Blueflame Keep. Do not break your promise. Do not shirk your duties to your mother.

In a way, Anne felt guilty about being here. After all, she was enjoying a festival. She had reunited with her family. Where was Alissa? She should have been here, too.

With a heavy sigh, Annelise turned away from her thoughts. She reached out to grip Sha'uri's hand and give it a squeeze.

"It has been a long day for all of us, Cousin. Maybe we should think about turning in for the night."

Meanwhile,

Nevarre had indeed looked at the bracelet, activating the holo imager within. The doctors were flustered but relieved as doctors would be at the recovery. They had also taken blood work and were fast to analyse the genetic make up, mapping out her DNA.

As Shati fell unconscious, Nevarre came to sit by her bed and wait patiently. Oddly, he seemed concerned as he watched her sleep, to the point that he didn't seem to notice people as they came by every few minutes to check her vitals. He even jumped a bit as Sha'uri came in to stand by his side and placed a hand upon his shoulder.

"Whoa, sorry... didn't mean to startle you. What have you... got so far. Eh... okay."

He handed her the holo bracelet, almost cutting off her sentence.
"Look."

Sha'uri took it and played it through. Then she pulled up a chair and sat down to wait, too, striking up a telepathic conversation. The topic to catch her up on the events. Nevarre gave her his side of the story, complete with images, to which Sha'uri nodded, gazing down at Shati though her mind was still speaking to her Captain of the Guards. She seemed to reach over and pat his hand, as if to reassure him of something. He nodded and seemed to relax. There they both waited for Shati to regain consciousness.

The doctors were puzzled by the findings of the DNA, though it explained some things. The age was due to the accellerated growth giving her the age of 7 in a body that looked much older. Some elements were compared with Sha'uri's own genetic make up. Sha'uri was similarly much younger then she appeared so the two DNA were being compared.

They continued to run comparisons on several DNA samples of other people/species including that of cylons, which they had information on, and tried to find a way around the jam in the frequencies, even transporting the samples back to the Citadel for further studies, thinking the field was generated by the person and not from the actual sample itself. They were hoping to get the sample far enough away to gain more information from it ....


Sha'uri noticed the sadness, shame and fear in the woman as she looked at her. She noted the stutter pattern in the woman's speech, so similar to Tina's. Her own brows furrowed with puzzlement. She glanced to her Captain with a silent order, handed him the bracelet and he promptly got up and left.

"You were taken in with charges that can be punishable by death. By your own admission, you are guilty of attempted mass destruction and murder. Technically, at the time, we had to let you go because you were not arrested properly. However, we can still arrest you based on the confession that you made."

She paused to let that sink in a moment. She was being as truthful as she could without betraying her captain, plus she felt the woman was due the explanation of her situation. Sha'uri was generally a fair and compassionate person.

"Now, understanding the nature of the device that had been placed in your head, it is clear to me and others that you were not acting totally upon your own volition. We have removed the device and are now analyzing your bracelet for any other such things. As far as we currently know, You are now acting upon your own now. Therefore, it is to your benefit to willingly and truthfully answer the questions... and I am glad to see you seem to be willing to do that already. Any help you give us to catch Cutter will lessen your punishment, if not completely pardon the charges, if we even feel the charges are worth pursuing on you at all. Do you understand this? We need you to tell us about Cutter, what you know of his dealings, why he wants Tina and where he's at.... his defenses."


Nevarre had left the room, giving the bracelet to the lab for analysis of any kind of magics or survalence device, any weaponry, etc... Then he contacted the guards down on the surface to gain the whereabouts of Tina... who was with Briari. The order was given for them to locate her, gain blood samples as descretely and gently as possible and send them to the Citadel for analysis. On the chance that blood samples were going to be too difficult to get, a strand of hair, or two, would do.

:: She bit her lip slightly and bowed her head away from the woman when she stated her charges..an involuntary flinch to the mans name...Cutter::

He.....he lives on Marta....cloaked in...a...force field...but..his..his..fortress...it moves...he...holds some.. of the..worst creatures at his gates...::She looked up a bit fearful to Sha'uri::...Genetic...bioweapons......and..I..don t know..how...but some of...Exodii's...technology....

:: She took a breath her eyes focusing and unfocusing before she finally recovered after a few moments::

..He..he wants...Tina....to...to unlock...her..abilities....I..know..nothing more....than that..about her. As..for..Cutter....he is....a phantom...a ghost in a way....a man...half..dead..and..half..alive:: She looked up to Sha'uri her gaze of pure horror::he..is a Necromancer..of..old....his..his...name...he..gets ..it..for..cutting..and shattering.....souls.....if...I..failed...he..he.. was..going.to..shatter...mine...:: she turned away her eyes tearing up she sniffled:: If...only....I...I could...have..been..braver....then...the..child... would..would..not..have..been..found..by that...monster

"Well...what would you want it to be dearheart?"

He looked down at his daughter and smiled.

:: She smiled to the two guards as they made there way over...and slowly she looked to her father:: I think....Christina...Storms Ravensheart Woodshadow....what do you think?...

:: Her voice cut off a bit when she saw the vials..she screamed in a loud howl...almost banshee like..as any glass about her shattered and..then she fainted...like she just suddenly went to sleep::

The Headmaster grew annoyed and cast a simple teleport object spell on the hypo device.

"I do not believe anyone actually gave you permission."

He glowered with the device in his hand.

"Now set her down gently and back away slowly."

He approached Tina and picked her up. Holding her like a glass ballerina, he looked at the guards.

"Take me to mistress Sha'uri and if your story matches then I will return your toy. If you are lying, may the gods have mercy on your souls."

He definately was very edgy right now. His eyes blackend with red pinpoints for pupils.

:: Even the cloaked fighters started to get taken out..it had to make them wonder...just exsactly what they were dealing with...however on the battleship.. Shati was awoken by the commotion in her room and dispite her injuries the falled dagger was lifted and like a viper she struck the man over his head forcing him into uncontiousness...only then did she collapse on the floor on pain::

::....however on the battleship.. Shati was awoken by the commotion in her room and dispite her injuries the falled dagger was lifted and like a viper she struck the man over his head forcing him into uncontiousness...only then did she collapse on the floor on pain::


Sha'uri put Shati back in bed while the male guard picked up the unconscious man.

"Mistress Sha'uri, the DNA sample is on the table in the other room. Both docotrs were unconscious and the medic was dazed. They'll need help. I'll take this one to the brigg."

"Well done then." she replied as she grabbed a hypospray and gave the unconscious one a sedative to keep him out for several hours. The guard proceeded to move to the brigg.

Sha'uri moved to the other room, found the sample, placed it into the machine and started the analyzer. Then she moved to help the not so dazed medic deal with the unconscious doctors, treating their injuries and bringing them back to consciousness. Getting the message that her daughter and ... her daughter's father were on board, she gave the order to have them brought to the infirmery.

Briarius got teleported by technology and hated it. He was shaking mad. He hated this place more and more. He didn't understand technology and felt stupid. His magic should be working. it should be strong, but here it seemed weaker than anything here. Even a child's toy could probably beat him into a pulp here. He had no choice but to do what was demanded of him from this stranger. He held Tina protectively and she would have to be ripped from him if they tried. He would even resort to fisticuffs if he had to.

While Sha'uri was helping the doctors, she recieved word of the latest events. She took a moment to respond as the doctors moved to the next room to check on the other paitent, Shati.

"Oscilate the shield harmonics of all ships at random intervals and patterns, that might throw them off. He's obviously got our codes so that should keep him from taking too many more of our fighters. Continue scans on all ships and also be alert to other enemies amoungst our crew. Hail the Aurora and see if she can ascertain the reason for what's going on with Marta... Hmm... The elven word for Mother. How fitting."

"Acknowledged. Wait... hold on.... that's odd."

"What is it?"

She glanced up to see Inara escorting Briari and Tina in, motioning them to be quiet as she was using the communication device.

"Their ships are drifting.. it's like they just shut down."

"What? Fire on them to disable their shields, weapons and engines in that order, make sure they are dead in the water. Scan them thoroughly again and assemble boarding parties at the ready to go on my mark. I want Cutter alive. Also, reign in his fighters with tracter beams. And keep a sharp eye for traps. Hard telling what he's up to."

"Acknowledged."

Sha'uri turned her attention to Inara and it seemed, by the two women's facial expression, that there was a silent conversation occuring. Sha'uri looked rather amused yet there was a hint of disbelief in her visage as mirthful sapphires kept steeling looks at Bri. Within a moment or two, she was able to adopt a more stoic visage.

"I see. Thank you, Inara. Please input your data from the scans into the computer. Then you are dismissed."

Inara bowed respectfully, did as she was ordered and left the infirmery with that devilishly mirthful grin threatening to break her otherwise stoic visage.

Bri heard a stray thought in his head, though it was hard to tell who's it was. ~Wimp~

Sha'uri turned to Bri.

"Inara is one of my most trusted. I appologize if you felt threatened. Just for future reference, believe the guards unless you have a valid reason, backed by evidence, not to. Citadel guards have been rigorously trained, scanned, analyzed and pushed for years until only the most loyal remain to become a guard. Perhaps I should have explained that to you earlier. Inara is also versed in magic of unique spells. Though she has few spells, they are strong. She informed me that she was the one who denied you from interferring with her orders....."

There was a bit of a pause. Obviously, she was displeased yet understood to a degree, yet there was some confusion.

"While we're here, I'd like your sample, too, Bri. I think it's going to be important to have that on record." she motioned him closer, shifting her eyes a bit to indicate sheilding Tina's eyes from the hypospray and vial.... and that she could take it from his backside. She couldn't help the mirthful seductive eyebrow wiggle that went along with that, trying to lighten up his mood.

:: After waiting a few moments she tried to contact Sha'uri but simply when se went for it..she got dizzy..her hand tapped the com as she made her way back to her bed figuring she could say later...crawling in the bed she went to rest once more her mind at ease for now::

:: When they boarded the vessels all they would find were corpses..the life support was active but the bodies looked to be many months old..later after checking the mainframe of the computer they would find that Cutter had escaped in the commotion..but with them they had strongly ecryped files of his plans on labled....Project Star Angel...the ecryptions were so strong on this they knew it took months just to set up the protection...::

:: The bodies each had a shattered soul..each one tormented and twisted in a way that would be unforgivable..and make them fearful of such a thing...how could a man do this to anyones soul...children women men it did not matter..many races and species were there on those ships::

Her expression did a complete turn around, shocked and horrified that Bri was doing that in front of Tina, noless. Not only in front of her, but Bri did it while still holding her. She grabbed the vial from him, anger clearly registered in her visage. She held an arm open to Tina, beckoning the girl to her, though her words were to Bri. She'd was fed up already and her usually calm demeaner just did a turn around, proving she was definitely her mother's daughter.

"I can't believe you just did that. In front of her! What is your deal? We've got this guy launching a whole armadda to get our daughter and you're throwing a temper tantrum?! Because I asked for a blood sample? Or was it because Inara stopped you from stopping her.... Oh, that's it, isn't it. Someone bested you and you can't take it. Grrrow up!"


Her voice deepened and grated loudly, growling at him. She turned away and put the sample to the machine, disgusted with Bri to a maximum... just so infuriated with him she couldn't see straight.

The doctors found Shati and gave her a mild sedative to help make sure she got some rest, realizing that she obviously had gotten out of bed. They also checked her over again, making sure there were no more injuries to her. reports on her DNA and magical make up did help them to make the right dose of the right sedative.

***********

She just wanted to explode, the emotion building up was more pressure then she'd felt in a long time and it tore at her heart. She faced the analyzer, teeth clenched and muscles in her jaw twitching while her eyes kept a constant mist about them.

She could hear Bri behind her, and that wrenched her heart even more... but the readings coming in on Tina and then Bri kept her focused there, kept her from succumbing to Bri's emotions flooding her, kept her sane while she worked it out. Reports were filtering in to her on top of all of this, yet somehow she found the strength to stand there. Her tones were cold... strained from the emotions.

"Get a hold of Rock and Roll. Sounds like the code to crack on this... Star Angel .... project... is just up their alley. If anyone can crack it, it is surely they and there ain't no one can do it faster. Get everything you can. As soon as you figure out how Cutter got away, let me know. In the mean time, scan for him everywhere out there and on the surface... and whatever means he might've escaped... shuttle, escape pod, transporter.. and check those magical currants again, see if there's a snapshot of teleportation type persuasion in the ley lines."

Reports were coming in from the surface of Exodii indicating they had been fired upon by Cutter's ships. There was only some minor damage as the citadel shields were used to protect themselves and the city.

The Aurora reported the volcanic activity on Marta seemed to suddenly abate. They also indicated magical auras were at an all time high, until the volcanic activity subsided... dropping them back to a normal level. Not everything was destroyed.

"See if there isn't some remnants left of the buildings or anything that might be of use inside. Also, contact all ships doctors to lend a hand in identifying or labeling the species involved there and on his ships ... I want autopsies performed on each ...."

"I'm not strong enough...she'll be gone too..."

She'll be gone too... By now, she couldn't stand it any more. She didn't know what to do, but she wanted to help, obviously as she turned round and moved back to Bri, knelt down beside him and cupped his face in her hands. Something was effecting the magic, and she was looking to his soul for an answer, weather it was a remnant of Erique or... Bri's lack of confidence... or some spell she hadn't noticed before. For all her anger subsided as she knelt by him. She was gentle again as she touched him, cupping his face in her hands but didn't force him to look at her. She merely gazed over him with tearfilled eyes, sapphire hues glowed with a warm flame flickering in their depths as she softly whispered.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to fight, Bri.. no.. not like this. I just don't know what you want from me... help me, please."

A gentle smile tugged at the right side of her mouth. Gentle, soft, yet cryptic were her indepth words.

"To fail. Wether you think you can, or can't.... either way, you are right. You've been there already, as we all have. For one to go through life wiht no failures is a denial of one's true existance... Maybe you should ask yourself.... What if you don't try to succeed?"

::Injuries....well...even though she looked whole her bone structure said otherwise...her bones had been broken many times over the small time she had been alive..tissue damage to some points were found as well...point blank they would have figured it to be a resort of torture for if they were ordinary fractures they should not be showing as easy with one of her natural healing ability....slowly they were seeing what kind of monster they were dealing with::

::As for Cutters escape..appearentlyduring the small battle fought in space he had escaped on a battle carrier the carriers name.......the Twilight Bringer...in there data banks this would have been recognized as a Star class Battle Carrier...equipt with some of the most advanced Exodii technology...it was becoming more and more obvious that he had spies in there networks....whomever Cutter was..he had been around for a long time::

::Also with the encrypted files Rock and Roll would find some serious difficulties trying to just get past the first encryption since not only was it encrypted but early on they would have found out that the wrong path led to viruses....there most challenging task yet had been set infront of them but after they got past the first Encryption a data file appeared...a message left for those who had gotten this far:;

:: A shadowed face spoke slowly his voice hoarse and colder than ice::

So you have gotten past the first Encryption....Rock and Roll...yes I know who you are..have fun and enjoy for by the time you break the codes the Star Angel Project will be complete...you have 38 more layers to go..I suggest you get startted..the first was just the easy part:: A grin on his face and a counter of 1,248 hours showed:: You have this much time before the encryptions rebuild themselves....good luck:: he laughed and the feed cut off from the data file::

:: And finally the autopsies...showed an unusual epedimic ..first none died by wounds to the body...second their own souls were not in there bodies but simply a shard of one was their instead..and third....each race was represented here...elves...dwarves...and even some alien races...this foe was truely complex:;

Watching him keenly, she stood up with him as he did. A firm nod was given, eyes sparkled quite pleased. She could've hugged him.. and in fact, did.

"I was hoping you'd offer. Our physicians here can help you get set up. Just let them know what you need, they will accomodate you. Though, I'm sure it'll be a few hours yet before they are ready.... and I would preferre the tasks performed aboard ship here. I'm not exactly keen on them being brought down planet side until we know more about them. For all we know, they are plagued with some heneous disease. We are better able to deal with such things up here."

She refrained from explaining about the force fields and suits and all that wonderful technology to help contain things of that nature. She knew the doctors, lab tech's and everyone else involved would thoroughly explain all this to him. Of course, normal autopsey's would be performed first to discover any diseases.

"As for you..."

Her smiling gaze went back to Tina, she picked up the still confused girl and hugged her close. Slipping her arm back round Bri, she drew him close again.

"Group Hug!!"

Briarius refused the bed and said he would be fine with the couch. It would help him to force trancing instead of sleeping. He was escorted to the ship's infirmary while the normal autopsies were being done. While they were waiting for the results of the saftey of the corpses, the Headmaster was explained how the technology worked. Much to the doctor's surprise, he grasped the concepts quickly even though he was forewarned that briarius was a technophobe. Now he just waited for the results so he could begin. While he waited, he used some minor divinations to determine the presence of wickedness, the undead, or magciks.

:: The oddest thing happened when they used the device to unlock the data file labled Star Angel Project..they rid of half the encryptions...and only half because the one file spit into two seperate..one real the other a virus dummy...Cutter did not know of the device but he did make something just incaser they went so far..if they hit the virus..there entire system would force a restart and all the encryptions would change..they chose right the Star Angel Project was theirs for the taking::

:: And thats when Cutter came up on the monitor:: Hmm seems you got this far..but now you must guess right..correct well tell me..if you were me which would you chose?:: A laugh as he gave them 10 minutes to figure it out::

:: The corpses were disease free and if anything other than being mangled looked in rather good health...but the halls screamed of tormented souls of those past..it was obvouis Cutter had not given them any choice in the matter::

:: After several hours of sleep she woke up in a slight start...sedatives..ohh how she disliked them..but at least she was only stiff now...slowly getting out of bed she buzzed the com hoping to get in contact with someone::Um...yes..could..could I ..get..some fresh air...maybe?

"Ah...ha! Right, so this is the part where it would be easy to second guess the opponent. I can clearly not choose the cup in front of you because...blah, blah, blah.. and I can clearly not choose the one in front of me because, yadda yadda...."

Alex smirked, and let his uncanny intuition guide him. He checked the dates on the files, finding their file sizes were the same.... and chose the older one right about the time when he heard his mother screaming from somewhere on that ship. He didn't wait to see the result, just left Rock and Roll behind on his way to find his mother....

**************

After contacting the doctors, the nurse came in with a glass of water and turned up the oxygen level just a bit. she handed the glass to Shati and began scanning her again, just to double check the vital signs.

"I wouldn't recommend the air outside just now. It's lacking in several necesarry elements for breathing. You are on a space ship right now. Although, we do have a holographic room designed to mimick several outside locations... or we could design one of your specifications. If you would like, I could take you there once the doctors have cleared you."

As if on cue, one of the doctors came in, took a look at hte latest scans and cleared her to move about the ship, with escort of course. Another guard was called in, a male with lavender eyes and black hair, ears slightly pointed.

"This is Coryn, a Citadel Guard. He will escort you wherever you need to go."

Coryn smiled and waited.

: She smiles a little and stands up slowly trying to get her bearings straight before moving over to Coryn...a soft smile::

Do..you think you could make..a place that..seems less cramped...I'm a little...claustrophobic....and...do you know..when I can..have..my...bracelet back?

:; She fidgeted a bit..in some repects her thoughts were still a little girls so she really didn't think of modesty or anything....in a few spots she was alot like Tina::

:: When the files opened they poured out data like a stream..most of the archives drive took up the project itself!...it showed an advanced battle station..a planet sized war station that was run at three points..but what was even more unusual..it called for three things...one was a navigation system..two was a power core..and three was an advance combat system....all three were combined appearently into Project Small Storm..of which it describes a bio engeniered humaniod to be the central processor of the whole thing::

Upon completion of his updates, Briarius went to his quarters and sat. He produced a book and began preparing the powerful magicks he would use to try and undo what Cutter had done. He stopped for a moment and thought. Briarius began to pray to the gods of magick.

"D'Shara, I hope you can hear me. Please grant me the powers to restore these poor souls and usher them into the afterlife. I apologize for my past trangressions against you and your family and hope that these devotions are enough atonement."

With that, Briarius expended all of the arcane power he could summon and let it dissipate through the air. He visibly weakened. He walked back to the couch and began his meditation hoping that D'Shara had heard his prayer and would grant him the power to undo this atrocity.

...and not getting attacked while almost defenseless would be nice too.

Having spent his magicks and knowing they were having an affect, he smiled whilemeditating and whispered, "Thank you"

:: She smiles widely as they say she can pick it up..very energetic and joyful at this she was tugging lightly on the mans arm:: lets go..lets go..please

:: Her eyes were shining and her face looked the happiest since her arrival on the battleship::

:; The souls peaceful once more went off to the afterlife but not without a gift in turn...combinding there own energies and potential they slowly turned back the clock restoring the ships and Cutters base to full working order for them to use..as well as sending a harmonised data stream showing everything Cutter was planning...he was planning a war against Exodii of a grand scale using the battle ships to weaken there defense and then arriving with his pride and joy the Star Angel...Cutters own minions had betrayed him..now some answers were finally found::

Inara couldn't help but smile and nod to Tina's request. She was quickly learning why Sha'uri had wanted to adopt the girl.. so adorable!

"Okay but only for a little bit. Come on... I'll replicate some cookies, too. Just don't tell on me, okay? So what kind of tea would you like?"

Inara took Tina by the hand and moved into the other room while she talked and looked down at the girl. She almost missed seeing Bri on the couch meditating as the two passed him on the way to the replicator in the kitchenette area. Something caused her to look that way....
a finger to her lips and quiet Shhhh was immediately performed and she paused right there and then to wait and see if there was going to be a reaction from the girl's father.

The door to the quarters opened just then. In walked Alex carrying a sleeping Sha'uri in his arms. His gaze immediately locked with Inara's and a grin slowly formed while his gaze shifted to his mother and then to Briari before moving back to Inara.

"Let's leave them be." he whispered and carried his mother in to the other bedroom, laying her gently on the bed.

Inara continued to the replicator and made tea and cookies enough for three... then brought them back to the bedroom where she had just been with Tina.

Alex was waiting, bouncing slightly in anticipation. Cookies sounded too good to him.

"One late night tea party comming up!" Inara grinned as she set the tray down carefully on the small table by the bed and handed out the tea and cookies.

:: She nodded her head and qiuetly snuck around as Inara made the cookies and tea...and once they were all set she lightly giggled as she took the tea in hand and all apropriate like took a sip before settling down her tea and...she burst into giggles::

I..dont see how queens and kings can drink like that...all stiff..its so silly isn't it

:: she looked to the otehr two a moment before blinking:: Ohh no..I forgot!....we need puppy here!

:: And off she went to get her puppy doll and slowly set him in a chair and made him tea and cookies as well:: good boy

:: and then she looked to the two:So....what are you both not telling me...hmmmm...i can keep it secret

:: A large smile on her face..she was a bit intuitive..and ever since she had come to Exodii her mental abilities had increased slightly::

The commander's brow raised slightly.

"Then you do suspect as I do... and you have a right to know that Cutter got away and could try to reclaim the place again, among other things. I'm having the place guarded and watched as thoroughly as we can while we gain as much info as we can. Sifting through all that down there can help us understand how he managed to keep it so secret and undetected, plus other things he managed. We could destroy it but I'm sure he's not done, maybe done for the immediate future, but not done entirely. Anything we can glean from it will help us in future against him. So, there is no way we'd leave you alone down there.. or anywhere for that matter. It's possible that Cutter may even try to assasinate you because you know too much. Coryn is your guard now. He will be with you wherever you go. He is one of Sha'uri's best and will protect you. Now, If you'll excuse me I have a few other things to attend."

A gracious bow was given before Commander Devril Hayes left the two in the lab.

Coryn smiled gently.
"Where to? I'm still up for that holoroom if you are. I could program in a different place other then.. Marda. It's up to you."