It had been 15 years since Stalker had been back to RhyDin. He had been called back to Earth due to an Inter-Galactic war and placed back on Active Duty from semi-retirement. That war cost the people of Earth dearly. It lasted 10 years. No one, including Stalker was spared from loss. He was the last of his family and close personal friends. He was the only survivor of the Battle of Mars and, somehow, the people of Earth had survived the battles fought with the aliens that came. No one saw them physically and survived. They wore some type of mechanized battle armor when on land. Their ships and weapons systems were highly advanced. Stalker?s fighter, Starfire, was one of the few that had survived a full frontal assault, with his Laser Grid shields, advanced armor and weapons and Stalker?s flying talent, it was a hard fought survival. By the end of the war, Starfire was nearly broken with stress fractures across all of his space frame and the engines threatening to go critical with every moment they were pushed hard?which was every flight. Stalker was badly injured and in need of dire medical attention from pull maneuvers that normal humans would have blacked out under, causing internal injury, as well as visible injuries from narrow escapes. The aliens that came were still unknown and never communicated. After a final battle in the Moon?s orbit, what was known as the Final Line, the aliens simply withdrew. What was left behind was a junk yard of broken ships that are still, to this day, being towed out of orbit and thrown into the Sun, if it was deemed safe to do so with some of the ships. Alien technology and ships, were being analyzed but no sense could be made from it.

Officially, despite heavy losses, the Earth Forces fought valiantly to save the planet. Stalker had been declared a Hero. He didn?t feel like one. Unofficially, the aliens won! The only survivors where 3 BattleStars with heavy damage, one of them included Stalker?s command, the Megafire, Earth?s most advanced BattleStar, with a handful of fighter squadrons. Stalker?s Senior staff, his closest friends, had pushed him into the Express tube to the landing and launching bays, seconds before a devastating hit destroyed the bridge on the Megafire. Stalker, despite burns, a fracture to his leg and numerous other additional injuries managed to make it to Starfire and launch, to attempt to do something, anything, only to witness the aliens leave.

Three years later, Starfire was overhauled, his technology upgraded with the latest top secret advances, albeit one landing strut simply will not stay in one piece after any hard landing due to stress fractures and Stalker had healed?physically. The dreams and nightmares have eased and he no longer jumped at shadows but he would get depressed easily. With nothing left and a full Military retirement, Stalker left Earth. He ?kicked? around the galaxy, he would say, for two more years before coming to RhyDin. A flood of memories came back to him. Some were wonderful, some weren?t. Once he arrived in orbit, the changes to RhyDin had struck him as odd. The Space Station that existed before Pharos Station no longer stood. Stars? End Bar was no longer, either, however the damage from the last adventure he was on was still present from Starfire?s scans, but buried under fresh buildings. SEB?s building still stood, however. Stalker briefly wondered if SEB ever regained it?s business after the battle with some Demon/Devil thing that he and a couple of his friends had but down. The Green Haven Realm simply was no more, but he knew that when he left. Murelle Graymantle had told him it would cease to be when the last person left, which was him. Tia Quinn came to his mind and he wondered how she was. He hadn?t seen her in 15 years and she appeared to not want to stay in touch. A pang of guilt crept into Stalker?s heart, but he pushed it away. ?No, Stalker, you can?t blame yourself. She was hurt and until she could help herself, she wouldn?t have let you help her. You didn?t fail her? her muttered to himself. Starfire, listening as usual, commented ?Stalker, maybe we shouldn?t be here. There are too many memories here for you.? Stalker chuckled. Starfire was the last friend he had and still nagged, annoyed and cared after everything they?ve been through and seen. People often thought they were attuned to each other. Stalker would laugh and say it?s what happens with comrades in arms after several years. ?Starfire, you worry too much. The asteroid belt is still in place and we need the work, even if we don?t need the money. Stop your worrying, Pal.? Starfire, always complaining that Stalker flew him harder than he should, simply hrumphed. At least some things still hadn?t changed, Stalker thought with a smile. There were others that he thought of. Budlighter, the first freighter captain to hire him on, Murelle Graymantle, who had allowed him to stay in Green Haven when Stalker was trying to start his own freight company with Tia, and her husband, Graymantle. His passing had reached him on Earth. He couldn?t every think of RhyDin without thinking of Jessla A, his girlfriend and wingmate, for a time. They were serious enough to have a daughter, together, Shawna. Jessla had stopped flying and even stopped venturing out to space. Stalker was too much of a pilot to be grounded. Jessalyn?she was kidnapped, despite his best efforts to rescue her. Before the ship she was on got away, she pleaded with him to stop the pursuit and, as usual, he said no way. They managed to disable Starfire and cause some serious damage to his systems. Stalker spent a month repairing Starfire and swallowed up in guilt. Jessla A had heard about all of this, of course, and gave Stalker the smacking he needed. He wondered if she was still on RhyDin and thought about looking her up and Shawna. That?ll have to wait a little while, though.

Stalker set down at the Stars End Spaceport and leased a berth, ironically, the same one he had last leased 15 years ago. Some businesses and streets have changed, of course. After finding an apartment to call home, he was happy to learn that the Red Dragon Inn was still around. Stalker was relieved that some things, at least hadn?t changed.

Business for escort pilots with fighters hadn?t slowed down any in 15 years. He had contracts being offered the moment he registered. Stalker was picky, of course. Nothing illegal and if it felt hokey, he declined it. He was in the Military and a Commander, so breaking the law wasn?t his thing, though breaking rules was a different matter. He also was hoping for a steady job instead of the one-off contract. He hadn?t accepted any offers, thus far. He needed to relearn the sector first and get acclimated to RhyDin, once again.

Stalker had to adjust to a few things. There were more Vampire?s than he remembered, for one thing. A lot more Dragons. He would have to ask one if they were moving down from the mountains. Stalker also made a few friends his first couple of days visiting the RDI. He met a Dragon named Aurthur, proudly named after King Aurthur, the Dragon said. While not a friend, Stalker hoped to see him around the Inn once again. Shaya, she had become a good friend surprisingly fast. Stalker still felt a little awed of her when he looked upon his new Katana she had made for him. All he did was mention it in passing that his was broken. She forged it from a new alloy she made. It was strong and sharp enough to cut through a Dragon?s scale, she had told him. She also had placed an inscription on it that, loosely translated said ?I am protected?. The gesture touched his heart in a way he hadn?t expected. He still felt like he needed to do something to pay Shaya back, but what, he wasn?t sure, since she didn?t accept credits. All he had to offer her was his friendship. He would definitely always be there for her if she needed it. He hoped it was enough for her. He met Shaya?s sister, Shal, a Vampire. He hadn?t seen her very often, so he wasn?t sure of what to make of her. He figured, since she was Shaya?s sister, he didn?t have anything to worry about from her. There was Zach, a unique fellow. Stalker wanted to like him as a friend but just couldn?t get completely there. Zach, Stalker later learned, had fallen for Shaya and was completely and totally jealous of the guy that Shaya had decided was the best choice for her. He tried to talk to Zach to get him to cool down about it, but his species has this thing. If they totally hate someone, they can?t be near them ever. Stalker must have been hitting close to home, though. Zach finally took a swing at Stalker, after teleporting in front of him. Stalker made a mental note to watch Zach?s teleporting and see if there was a weakness there he could exploit for defensive purposes, though he didn?t really want to fight the guy. That brings Captain Adrin, a Robin Hood-esque pirate and Shaya?s mate. Something about him made Stalker?s guard go up every time he came around. For the sake of his friendship with Shaya, he didn?t say anything and kept it to himself. It may have been the simple fact he was a Pirate and, considering what Stalker did for a living, that didn?t make things easy. It may have been the fact that Zach had seen him with another woman. Shaya knew about the other woman before she made her decision. Stalker never asked Shaya about the other woman. More because Zach had gotten her pretty upset over the whole thing than any other reason. It may possibly have been that Adrin was, for lack of a better word, a show-off, which Stalker never cared for show-offs. They had a way of making things worse. Regardless, Stalker?s sixth sense always gave him a bad feeling when Adrin. Stalker most certainly wouldn?t hesitate to knock Adrin around if the situation called for it or, if he hurt Shaya. Regardless, Stalker gave Shaya a special cipher the next day to put in Adrin?s Friend or Foe suite on his ship to identify him to Stalker. He was pretty sure that shooting at Adrin would be enough to make Adrin mad, let alone Shaya. The next day, Stalker met Trystal Vordia, a freighter captain. They both agreed to let each other know of any job leads they came across. Stalker seemed to have struck up a friendship with her as well. She delivered and informed Stalker to be on the look out for a Alain DeMuer. Stalker did some digging on him, as he always did with prespective clients, and didn?t find anything that would really tell him what he would be dealing with.

Of course, Stalker got into his fair share of trouble. Shaya was planning on confronting a clone of her father. He had to leave when her, Zach, Adrin and Shal were sparring and he hadn?t heard anything else about it, but he needed to talk to her about it. He just wasn?t sure when would be a good time to. When Zach took a swing at Stalker, Trystal was there. While Stalker knocked the punch away, it was pure reflex since Zach teleported in front of him to deliver the blow. Stalker had a sense that Trystal would have had his back, though. At least, he hoped. They witnessed Zach?s apartment getting blown up, presumably, from the beginning of the assault on the Marketplace. Before the incident with Zach, Stalker came upon a couple of twin girls that were crying. Stalker offered to help and one of them came up and hugged him. Zach said something about them biting him. Stalker figured out they were vampires but didn?t want to be rude. Of course, he got bit in the neck by the one, whom he later learned was named Ivory. She just bit him and ran. Shaya noticed Stalker scratching at the bite and had healed it. Though, it took something out of her. Stalker hoped he would come into a situation where he needed that type of help from Shaya again. He didn?t like seeing her hurt. Then there was The Lich King. Stalker was having a nice conversation with a fellow, whom he later learned was named Shelarn, he thinks, when The Lich King attacked him. Stalker blocked the shot from the sword with his Katana. Kingy put a hard knee into his gut, telling Stalker to kneel. Stalker never knelt for a Megalomaniac before and he didn?t there, though Stalker had a bruise to show for it. He managed to disengage from that problem, when Sharlem changed into a Dragon. Stalker was pretty sure he would have been in the way. But he did note that Kingy?s armor seemed to roar in pain from an ice ball hitting it. That could be a tactical advantage he would need, if Kingy bothered him again.

Looking back on the last few days, Stalker had to admit, it was interesting already. The dreams hadn?t come since his return, though he was sure they would and he had gotten to do something that Starfire absolutely hated but Stalker loved. He went flying through the asteroid belt near RhyDin that he had enjoyed 15 years ago. He was sure there were more rocks now then before but it seemed to have renewed or awaken Stalker?s senses and his desire to see what surprises were in store for him the next day.

Yes, Stalker had returned to RhyDin and things, for the moment and despite new friends, felt that they were the way they should be. This felt right, to him!

Stalker had learned a long time ago to always listen to his Sixth Sense. He had also been, admittedly, very lucky. Many people had commented that they didn?t want to be around when that luck ran out. Stalker didn?t want to be there either when the time came. Stalker did admit to himself, it kept things interesting. He was preparing to take off for a little flight to escort of freighter to some asteroid on the far end of the asteroid belt. Some type of top secret testing facility and the cargo was some type of new mining equipment. Stalker was in good spirits, having seen his friends a couple of days earlier. Shaya had also surprised him yet again. She and Adrin were getting married. That surprised Stalker. It seemed very fast?almost too fast. Shaya was so happy and excited that he just bit down any questions he had. He couldn?t bring himself to ask Shaya something that may upset her and ruin her good mood. Stalker thought of her as a sister, almost. Adrin seemed to have mellowed as well. Stalker hoped his gut feeling about the man was dead wrong. It had been known to happen before. That wasn?t the surprised that almost stopped Stalker in his tracks. Shaya next asked him if he would give her away at the Wedding on Christmas. Stalker was pretty sure the surprise on his face was evident. How could he say no? Of course, he said yes and the smile on Shaya?s face grew even wider. He spoke with Adrin, Zach and his new friend Tia and some Vampire that Stalker couldn?t recall his name. It was shaping up to be a good week.

Stalker ran his usual background checks on the freighter captain and he came back clean. Almost too clean. The Captain had a generic enough name, Sebastian Santini. Former Merchant Marine Captain. Nothing in his background raised any red flags. What bothered Stalker was that Captain Santini?s background only went back 20 years. Something didn?t feel right about that. Regardless, Stalker took the contract. By his own rules, there wasn?t a valid reason to turn it down.

The flight out was uneventful. No surprise there. The Pirates in RhyDin space seemed to have abandoned hiding out at the Asteroids. They landed at the Asteroid and Stalker couldn?t help but shake a nagging feeling of caution that was why he wore his dual blaster holsters, putting one on each thigh. He set Starfire down in a slip about halfway down the hanger. Close enough for Stalker to run and get aboard but far enough that, should something happen, Starfire would get minimal damage. As he approached to within 10 meters of the freighter, a group of people came around the other side. Stalker instantly dropped his hands onto his blasters. ?Something I can do for you gentleman? Perhaps you were looking for the restrooms?? Stalker said, giving the code word he had told Captain Santini to listen for before disembarking.

?Actually, we were looking for you? spoke the red-headed gentleman slightly to Stalker?s right. ?We have a message for you from an old friend.?

That got Stalker?s attention. He glanced at the freighter cockpit, over the group?s head and saw the Captain, smirking. This was a setup and Stalker went against his sixth sense. He said, easily to the red-head, ?Does it always take so many to deliver a simple message. I am listed, after all.? Stalker?s eyes took in the area. There were five men coming around the freighter. Stalker knew from Starfire?s scans that they weren?t aboard the freighter. The freighter Captain was lounging, seemingly ready to enjoy a show, so he wasn?t a threat yet. Stalker stopped advancing. He wasn?t about to be maneuvered into a position that would put his back to the freighter. Better open docking bays. Red looked at Stalker and gave a predatory smile as he spoke ?The Weasel says good-bye!? and he and his fellow pulled their blasters, aimed and fired.

Stalker was ready for them. The moment he heard the name ?The Weasel?, he moved to the left. Not what he wanted but he could tell by their eyes they would fire to his right. At the same time, Stalker pulled his blasters and fired, catching a blond fellow, about 6?2? and easily 230 lbs square in the chest, leaving a hole. Next he fired a shot at Red, only to miss and hit the man in the face immediately to his left. That was two down. Stalker landed on his left hand, still holding that blaster and tucked into a roll, coming up on his feet and behind a support girder. Stalker took in his surroundings and looked for any advantage he could press. There wasn?t much. The bays they were in were in a typical front to back arrangement with 10 bays. Starfire was set down in #6 with the freighter and thugs in the last bay, number 10. There was enough room to taxi to a bay but not enough for Starfire to maneuver for a fast get away. The bays were typically dirty and greasy but no fluids of any type on the floor plates. That was odd as well and Stalker chided himself for not catching it. ?You?re getting lazy, McPhearson?, he thought to himself. He could use the bays as cover to get back to Starfire, but it was still going to be a fire fight. There were a few crates and barrels stacked up here and there. As he looked around, we spoke into his comlink, located inside his watch. ?Starfire, light them up and be ready to get outta here.?

Starfire, started his engines. ?You know there?s not a lot of room in here. I?ll have to do a straight run for the exit. Do we want to run a missile down their throats once we get clear?? Starfire hated having to put his back towards aggressors, even if they couldn?t damage him. ?Absolutely, but let?s work on me getting to you. Anything on the sca?.Crap!?

As Stalker continued to survey the area, he saw Captain Santini open a port hole by the bridge and aim a heavy blaster rifle in Stalker?s general direction. Red and his two remaining companions where hiding and checking their comrades, finding them dead. Stalker had just started to look back up the bays toward Starfire when a reflection of light caught his attention out the corner of his eye. He looked up and dove as far left as he could. A sniper had gotten position on him and took a shot, barely missing. Stalker got a heat welt along his right cheek. As Stalker made a break for the other side and the minimal cover an open bay would afford, he fired his left blaster at the freighter cockpit, forcing Santini to duck, the right toward Red and his cohorts, forcing them to duck and then brought his right blaster around and fired toward the sniper, missing him by a couple of meters but forcing him to pay attention to something else while firing the left blaster again at Red and company. Stalker dove into the bay across from him, 9, and rolled to his feet. He spun around and fired a couple more shots at the corner to keep Red and company from getting an angle. Starfire responded at the same time. ?I have one life form that was behind you on one of the ceiling girders. He appears to have a high power sniper rifle. He appears to be in front of bay 7, but out of my line of site, so I do not have a clear shot.?

Stalker rolled his eyes. ?Starfire! Why didn?t you tell me sooner?!?! Did that simple flight scramble your logic circuits?!?! It?s not like this is the first time we?ve been through something like this?, Stalker growled at Starfire! He took two more shots toward Red and company, one catching one of Red?s friends in the foot. Stalker had also maneuvered himself over to the wall the furthest from the group but worked he way up slowly enough to keep the freighter?s bridge viewports out of site. ?Any other surprises I should know about, Starfire??

?You didn?t ask me to let you know if anything unusual happens. I suppose it?s one of those ?implied? commands. We seem to have a droid floating around as well that is communicating with someone or something on RhyDin. I am unable to point the exact location. The droid appears to be simply observing and is, essentially, a black ball? Starfire stated.

?Starfire, when we get out of this, I?m giving your logic circuits a good shock! Apparently, you?ve been too bored!? Stalker then took another shot at one of Red?s companions who dared to peek around the corner and called out, ?You did tell The Weasel that you wanted hazard pay, right??

?Why I?m gonna?? yelled one of Red?s companions and 4 figures came around the corner charging at Stalker. Stalker dropped two of them instantly while dodging shots, then dropped his blasters and placed a roundhouse kick to Red?s temple, coming around and punching Captain Santini in the jaw, saying ?I owe you!?

Red staggered but stayed up, shaking his head. Captain Santini caught Stalker in his ribs on his right side with a heavy boot and more force than Stalker could imagine the man having. Stalker kept moving, even though the pain from his ribs was telling him not to twist too much. He ignored them, rolled into the kick from Captain Santini and brought an elbow down on his leg hard, breaking it. Captain Santini let out a roar of pain and fell to the ground.

Stalker spun around in time to dodge to his right, narrowly avoiding a blaster bolt to the head from Red. The shot grazed his left shoulder, burning a hole in his flight jacket and leaving scorch mark on his shoulder. Stalker let the momentum from the shot swing him around to his left, diving down and grabbing his blasters. He rolled behind some cover of some barrels when Red shot two more times at Stalker, narrowly missing. Red anticipated Stalker to pop up and aimed his blaster above the barrels. Stalker expected that and continued to roll and came out the other side of the barrels, firing four shots in rapid succession, hitting Red in the center of his chest.

Captain Santini had recovered by this point and was struggling to stand up. He aimed his blaster at Stalker, who was already aiming his blasters. They stared at each other for a moment before Captain Santini spoke. ?You know, we both loose if we pull the tr?? Stalker never let him finish. He fired both blasters. One right up the barrel of Captain Santini?s gun, exploding it. The other hit Captain Santini square in the left shoulder. He hit the wall hard and fell to the ground. He looked first at what remained of his right hand and then back at his left shoulder. He looked at Stalker, a mixture of surprise and disgust on his face. ?Why? Just kill me and get it over with!?

Stalker lowered himself to his hunches and looked Captain Santini in the eye. ?First, it?s bad business to kill someone that hired you. Second, I want information. That?s a little hard to get if you?re unable to speak? Stalker said simply. Stalker knew that the sniper was looking for a position to get a clear shot at Stalker?s back. Starfire would warn him when the sniper was close.

Captain Santini looked at Stalker and blinked in surprise. ?Well, I appreciate you treating this as business and not personal but we owed you for what you did to use in the Oro sector a while back. Burying us alive like that. On that score, since I can?t kill you,? Santini said nodding toward his hand and shoulder, ?the least I can do is give you no information.?

Stalker just shrugged. The mentioning of Oro sector gave him an idea of who he was dealing with. A pirate gang that had the sector pretty much locked down. After a nasty space battle, Stalker launched all his missiles at a fleeing freighter. It exploded as it entered their bays, effectively burying them. ?Nothing personal. Oh, and Captain,? Stalker said as he stood, ?good-bye.? Stalker turned to walk out when Starfire beeped an alarm over the comlink. Stalker dove for cover just as a barrage of blaster fire rained down where he was. Stalker poked his head out long enough to see the sniper had gotten into position and was firing two heavy blaster rifles down at him, keeping Stalker pinned down. ?OK, now I?ve had enough of this? growled Stalker! Captain Santini was evilly laughing at Stalker.

Stalker waited until the sniper?s fire died down. He was switching aim with rifles. That was when Stalker popped up and fired multiple shots at the sniper. About half missed, some hit the girder in multiple spots and hit the sniper, sending him backward and off the girder to the ground. Stalker ran over and knocked the weapons away from him and looked down. The sniper wasn?t dead but was twisted at odd angles. He was, effectively, out of the fight. Stalker holstered his blasters and looked up, to see the recording droid. He gave it his lopsided grin and looked directly into the lens. ?You?re next, Weasel?, he said. With that, he pulled his right blaster and fired a single shot into the lens, shattering the droid.

Starfire?s sensors immediately detected a burst transmission directed at the freighter and an unmistakable power build up. ?Stalker, the freighter is going to go critical! You better move! You have about 1 minute!? Stalker, cursed and started charging for Starfire, all caution thrown to the wind. Holstering his blaster as he ran. He was counting down the seconds in his head. This was going to be close. About 45 seconds into the count down, Stalker heard a high pitched whine that usually indicated a catastrophic system failure of the engine core. He cursed again! He wasn?t going to make it into Starfire! He ran as hard and fast as he could. He rounded the corner of the wall and into the bay when the explosion happen, throwing him into Starfire?s fuselage. Quick reflexes is the only thing that kept his ribs from breaking. Starfire extended his defensive Laser Grid and managed to keep most of the debris and force at bay. Starfire then gave Stalker more bad news. ?Multiple hull breaches detected in the bays along with secondary explosions. He need to launch now!?

Stalker hauled himself up, willing himself to ignore the fire in his sides from his ribs! ?Hold your horses, I?m comin?! Do you have any good news?? Stalker gritted his teeth as he climbed into Starfire as quickly as he could.

The asteroid base started to shake and as soon as Stalker was in the cockpit but not yet fully seated, Starfire slammed the canopy down and started taxing into position to take off. ?I?m afraid not. This place is going critical? Stafire exclaimed.

As soon as Stalker was strapped in, he surveyed the damage ahead of him. Some support girders fell and some of the taxi lane was blocked. Nothing that Starfire, under normal conditions, couldn?t fly around. ?Ok, power up the weapons, keep the ?Grid at full and hold on to your circuits? grunted Stalker! He fired a few volleys from Starfire?s guns, clearing a bigger lane but just barely and his pushed the throttles forward, flipping a switch to activate the repulsor engines. He maneuvered Starfire through the debris as fast as he could. The moment he had a clear shot, he pushed the throttles to the overload stops and blasted out of the bays and the asteroid just before it started coming apart, exploding. Stalker swung Starfire into the asteroid belt to try to keep as much of the shockwave off as possible, still going full throttle. ?I know you hate this, Starfire, but I don?t see a choice!?

Starfire didn?t say a word. Once they cleared the asteroids when things settled down from the explosion, Stalker gave control back to Starfire. Starfire informed him that he didn?t have any broken bones but suggested he go to a doctor. Stalker simply said ?Beh, I?ll be fine!? and settle back to rest and think. It had been awhile since Weasel made an attempt on him. Stalker didn?t even care about him anymore, honestly. Though he was going to have to hunt the Weasel down for this one?after he healed. Stalker was thinking that he had gotten rusty when they landed.

Stalker stopped at his apartment first and dropped off one of his blasters. He was really starting to feel his ribs now. He sighed and headed to the Red Dragon Inn. He ran into Shaya and Zach and spoke with them for a little while. The Nexus kept sweeping Shaya away. She also gave him a look when he winced due to his ribs. He told her not to worry about it and he?d be fine. She let it be but still gave him a look that said he better be, or else. She did manage to tell Stalker a secret before he left and that made the day worth it, in the end.

Stalker went to bed early that night and slept in late. When he woke up, his ribs still hurt him badly but he could think clearly. He worked out that morning, took some minor painkillers to dull the pain in his ribs. The rest of the week went by pretty quickly and uneventful. A few cargo escort runs and some relaxation. Just what the doctor ordered, he thought to himself.

Halfway through the following week, Stalker was at his apartment. He was thinking of going to see Shaya and Adrin to pay them a visit the next day when he heard a disturbance outside in the Marketplace. He looked and saw people being attacked by dark knights and other creatures. ?Never a dull moment?, Stalker muttered. He put on his blaster, put one in his belt behind his back and put his sword over his back in the special sheath he had made. While he was pretty sure these were magical beings he was about to fight that his blasters wouldn?t have a lot of effect against, it still gave him some level of comfort.

Stalker drew his sword before he exited the building?and it was a good thing. One of the creatures came at him instantly. With no weapons, he was easily taken care of. Stalker surveyed what was going on. People were screaming in fear here and there but the Citizens were fighting back. Stalker moved into the park area and fought off one of the dark knights attacking an innocent lady. He chased off a creature here, sliced off a dark creatures arm there and fought off another dark knight with another fellow. His ribs were starting to burn, as they weren?t healed yet, but Stalker held his own.

He and the fellow split up. That?s when Stalker found himself under attack by a much bigger dark knight. Stalker soon realized that he and his sword were moving as one. He blocked the knight here, he swung for the arm there. Stalker?s shot were either blocked or he didn?t get through the armor. Stalker could tell he was damaging the armor heavily when he connected, though. After several moments, Stalker snap-kicked the knight in the chest, knocking him off balance, then swung his Katana around and took off the knight?s head! That was when Stalker felt something sting his neck. Puzzled, he straightened himself and reached back to feel his neck with his left hand. He pulled his hand away and there was a single small dot of blood. Then Stalker became dizzy. He staggered slightly and dropped his sword. ?What stung me?? Stalker thought. He pulled his blasters, unable to remember where he dropped his sword. ?Gotta snap out of it? Stalker muttered as he shook his head to clear it. That only made things worse.

Stalker looked around, trying to focus his eyes, then he dropped to his knees, keeping his blasters up off the ground. After a moment, he fell onto his back, legs curled under him at the knees. He felt a presence come up to him. He looked down and couldn?t identify it. His eyes closed for a moment and when he managed to open them through sheer will, he saw a familiar female face. He just couldn?t remember her name. Stalker tried to move but couldn?t. The woman called his name and reached her hand toward him. He couldn?t let her touch him, Shaya, that was her name. Stalker weakly, still holding his blaster, pushed her hand away. He tried to say no, but all that came out was ?ohhhhhoooo?, very quietly. He vaguely felt something hit his arm. More of a thud than anything else. Stalker still tried to will himself to move but the effort finally caused darkness to take him. The last thing he saw was Shaya looking at someplace above his head.

Consciousness came and went for Stalker. He had no idea how long he was down. He knew the nightmare of the last time he saw his good friends came relentlessly when he did loose consciousness. He seemed to recall being in a fight. At one point he felt as if he was flying sideways, which had startled him. His pilot?s instincts telling him flying sides was usually a bad thing. This caused his adrenaline to rush and allowed him to become conscious to be aware that he dropped his blaster in his right hand when he was laid down. He felt something fall from his neck and thought he heard that someone had spoken to him saying ??take this?? and felt something pressed into his hand. Stalker dropped what was in his left hand?his blaster, perhaps, and tried to open what felt like a small bottle.

Stalker couldn?t lift his head to see the mysterious bottle. His head felt like it weighed a ton. His eyes would only open enough to allow light and very fuzzy objects to be seen. His ears felt like they were stuffed with cotton but he felt someone lean him up and say ?an explanation NOW?!!?

Stalker tried to answer the familiar yet strange voice but all that came out was ?Llllladdddelp!?. He was getting very scared and that was a very foreign feeling to him. He was also getting angry. Those emotions caused a surge of adrenaline to flow once more. He weakly reached over with his left hand and struggled with the top yet again. He felt a hand on top of his helping to pull the lid off and then help his right hand bring the bottle to his mouth, tilting it up. Stalker gagged but the voice said to drink it all. Finally darkness claimed him again and he became limp from unconsciouness.

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

The nightmare always started the same. Stalker was on the command deck of the Megafire. This was also different, though. His brother and friends, who made up his command staff, weren?t yelling orders and they weren?t in a desperate fight for their lives. They weren?t trying to stuff him into an elevator to save his life, saying he had to survive to avenge them. No, this time they were standing around, leaning on their consoles casually and smiling. They all looked at him. His brother saying sorry. Falcon and Ranger saying it was good to see him again, ?Hawk saying it wasn?t over yet and not to give up and ?Kat was saying they were with him always, to never loose hope and to keep fighting. His brother came over, hugged him, and said it was time to go back now and that it wasn?t his time. They all patted him on the back and turned him toward the elevator. No, he didn?t want to leave them! Not again! He couldn?t take loosing them again! There was another voice calling his name. One he knew but it didn?t belong here.

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

Stalker regained consciousness and realized that the nightmare wasn?t a nightmare but his friends, once again, saving him in their own way. There was a taste of something in his mouth, as if he had just drank something. The taste wasn?t unpleasant, at least. Someone was calling his name?loudly. Wait?it was Shaya?s voice! What was going on? What had happen?

Stalker moved to sit up and when he moved not even an inch, he rolled over and laid on his belly, moaning loudly and clutching his head with both hands. ?Ugh! Oy!? He laid there breathing heavily for a few moments. A hand gently touched his shoulder and rubbed it, asking if he was ok. Oh yes, Shaya was there. Stalker moved his hands from his head and placed them under him. He slowly propped himself up and got his knees under him. He tried to stand and promptly feel back down. Stalker rolled around as the pain in his head made it feel like it would explode!

?Ugh! Oh?..Daffy Duck?Porky Pig?little red frack with a nose and mustache!?, he croaked. Finally, Stalker sat up but he kept his eyes closed and just breathed for a moment. Tears were streaming down his face. How long had that been happening? Finally he opened his eyes and cleared his throat. Shaya was looking at him with a mixture of fear, concern and a hint of angry, he though. He looked Shaya in the face. ?Hey? he whispered! ?What are you doing here?? He gave her a weak lopsided grin and noticed the dead dark knight she was holding. ?That doesn't happen to be who tried to land a freighter on my head, by any chance??

?No, some little rat was.? My clone is hunting him as we speak?, Shaya chuckled and shook her head. She then picked up a small dart. ?This may have been the cause, though.? Shaya then gave a sigh. ?Are you alright??

Stalker nodded and took the dart from Shaya and looked it over. Unfortunately, to Stalker, it was just an ordinary dart. His head was still reeling from whatever was on that dart, but it made sense but his head was clearing. ?Other than being really tired and really thirsty, I think I?m ok?, Stalker said, not yet sounding as strong as normal. ?I guess we better find out what is on that dart and make sure it?s completely out of my system.? He brushed the tears away and blinked his eyes a few times. ?I really don?t want to go through this again?, he offered a small smile. There was no way around it, he had gotten lucky again. He leaned over and picked up his blasters and holstered them to cover the fact that all he really wanted to do was just lay down and pass out. He sat back up, stifling a maon.

Shaya placed a hand on his shoulder and he looked her in the eyes. ?And you need to loose weight. You weigh more than a fighter!? Despite himself, Stalker laughed. His head hurt from it but it also made him feel better. Then Shaya?s eyes softened and she spoke. ?You were having a bad dream. Want to talk about it?? Stalker avoided her eyes for a moment, but she followed them. ?Stalker, talk to me? Please??

Stalker closed his eyes tight for a moment as he recalled the dream. He was trying to hold back the tears, partly out of macho bravado, but mostly because he didn?t want anyone to know how badly his heart hurt over the loss of his friends, five years ago. Stalker heard the knight?s armor bang as Shaya tossed him aside and almost jumped. He opened his eyes and a couple of tears escaped. He wiped at them with the back of his hand, blushing a little with embarrassment. He laid his head on Shaya?s shoulder and sighed a little in relief. His head hurt a little less. ?I?m listening when you feel like it?, she said.

Stalker smiled. Shaya was definitely more of a best friend. By his count, this is 3 he owed her. She gave him a wonderful Katana, though he didn?t know where it was. He had it before this mess started. She healed a vampire bite and now she saved his life. He wiped at the defiant tears with the back of his hand. ?I?d be more then willing to do that?, he spoke quietly. ?How much time do you have?? He raised his head and moaned quietly. It still hurt but it felt immensely better than a few moments ago.

There was some rustling from a bush. That was when, for the first time, Stalker realized he was on a roof. He saw his Katana in the ground, as if it stabbed it. ?Ahhhh, my clone caught its prey.? Shaya was saying, watching his reaction. Stalker gave her a sideways look before looking at the ?clone? and wondered, was that Smoke? ?Do you know this creep?, Shaya asked.

As Stalker was looking over, he heard a familiar, weasely voice. ?Put me down, you, you harlet! Who do you think you ar?.no, no, no, NOOOOOO? the voice roared! Stalker looked over and saw the familiar face of Robert ?The Weasel? Doyle. ?You have to be dead! I know that dart hit you! I saw you go down! Why can?t you just DIE!?!?!?

Stalker?s blue eyes grew dark and signs of them becoming blood shot were also there. Only Stalker?s closest friends know this was a sign that his temper was close to gone or that he was extremely mad. When his eyes went blood shot, that usually meant he was close to no control. He narrowed them as he stood, gritting his teeth against the pain in his head. ?Shaya, meet Robert ?The Weasel? Doyle! He is responsible for countless deaths, multiple attempts on my life and 10 years of Galatic War. All because he managed to get information on our military movements and sold them to the wrong person, an agent whose people were launching an attack on Earth. This is brazen, even for you. Two attempts on my life in as many weeks?? Stalker walked forward and held himself upright, forcing himself to appear to be not affected in the least by whatever was on that dart. He knew by the watchful eye Shaya kept on him, that she knew he was bluffing. She seemed to be playing the game though and kept a safe distance back but close enough that if he fell, she?d be there. ?What can I say; you?re just not good enough to take me.?

?Curse you and your luck, Stalker?, The Weasel spat! He tried to get to his sword but couldn?t, as the clone held him fast. ?One of these days, it will run out and I can only hope that I?ll be there to see it.? He looked pointedly at Shaya. ?One day, your friends won?t be around to come to your rescue!?

Stalker shrugged and balled his fists. ?That maybe so but it?s not today.? Stalker threw a fast and powerful right jab, hitting The Weasel in the nose, knocking him off balance and breaking it. Stalker stumbled a bit but regained his footing. Shaya placed a hand on his shoulder. She knew as well as Stalker did. He wasn?t well enough for this. Not now. The Weasel spat blood in Shaya?s direction but Stalker still had his reflexes and he blocked it with his hand. It was an unspoken message between the two of them. The Weasel marking who he will go for next and Stalker denying him once again.

The Weasel glared at him. He managed to rip his arm free and grabbed the hilt of his sword. That was the furthest he got. Stalker was on him. The Weasel got his sword out, only to have it knocked out of his hand. The Weasel put a knee in Stalker?s gut, only to have Stalker reach out and wrap his hands around his throat. Stalker moved him into a choke hold and was threatening to break his neck when The Weasel spoke, choking and laughing at the same time. ?You, in cold blood? At last, the downfall of Stalker has started!?

Stalker kept the pressure on The Weasel?s neck. He wanted to snap it right there. If for no other reason than to pay back the pain Stalker was now feeling in his head. All he had to do was squeeze a tad bit more. The Weasel wouldn?t bother him or anyone he cared for ever again. He heard something but couldn?t identify it but it made him hesitate just enough to come back to his senses. Stalker growled and threw The Weasel down onto the rooftop. Then he said ?Game over, Weasel! You loose! Go back to whatever rock you came from and forget I exist? for your own good.? With that, Stalker turned and stumbled forward. Shaya was there in a heartbeat. He allowed himself to lean heavily on her and sighed heavily.

The Weasel roared and leapt up. He brought out his dart gun and was spinning around to aim it at Stalker. Stalker heard the roar and saw the motion start. His vision seemed to instantly clear. He was totally focused. The Weasel never finished his move. Stalker pulled his blaster and fired a single shot, hitting The Weasel in the center of his face. Not even Shaya?s clone had a chance to react. The Weasel merely dropped from the roof and landed with a sickening thud on the ground. There was no question this time. The Weasel wouldn't be returning.

?You?ll never hurt anyone again, Robert? Stalker declared! Stalker heavily dropped his right arm and hand, dropping his blaster. It clattered onto the roof. He started to breath heavily but steadily. The adrenaline had finally left him. His body was going limp, exhaustion taking over. ?I think I need a vacation?, Stalker grunted. Shaya helped him sit down, muttering something about stubbornness, and looked at him. He was too tired to figure out what that look meant. ?Are you done now?, she asked.

Stalker shook his head and tiredly chuckled. ?I dunno. Do you have any other surprises for me?? Stalker gave her a tired lopsided grin and turned his head toward where she sat down as he lowered it into his hands. ?If so, can you make it so it doesn?t require me to get up; at least for a few moments?? He paused for a moment and looked her in the eyes, a level of peace showing in them that no one had noticed was missing before. "Thank you, Shaya" he said tiredly but he smiled.

Shaya took a seat on the edge of the roof, chuckling, she laid back. ?No, no?, she answered Stalker. She stretched out, still speaking to him. ?Not a thing. I?m pretty sure Adrin could let you stay on the ship for awhile, let you recover. His doc is quite good.?

Stalker watched her strech out and felt a little guilty. Shaya was a beautiful woman. While Stalker would never cross the friendship line with her, he couldn?t help feeling a pang of jealousy every now and then that Adrin met her first. Stalker lifted his head, crossed his arms around his legs and rested his chin on them. Shaya looked at Stalker. ?And I have all the time in the world for friends, Stalker, so when your ready, I?m ready to listen?, she said to him.

?You just want to keep me close by so you can keep an eye on me and keep me out of trouble?, Stalker tiredly chuckled. After the way this night went, he couldn?t help put be sarcasitc. It was the troublemaker in him, after all. ?If Adrin doesn?t mine me seeing his doc, at the very least, I?ll take you up on that offer. I really want to make sure that poison is out of my system.? Stalker gave a little shiver. Durning the skirmish with The Weasel, he had dropped the dart. He stood up, slowly, picked it up and put it down by where he was sitting.

Stalker turned to see Shaya looking at the sky, relaxed. Her eyes shining with peace and a smile on her face. Smoke came up to Stalker with his Katana and Shaya said, ?You shouldn?t leave that lying around. You never know when you?re going to need it.? Stalker chuckled and took the sword from Smoke, patting his?her?Stalker never thought to ask or look?side, saying, ?Thanks, Smoke.? He placed it in the sheath that on his back, then took the sheath off and laid it on the ground next to where he was sitting, looking at Shaya, stretched out, smiling. ?Well, it wasn?t like I had control over things at the time? he said to Shaya, chuckling. He was still exhausted but he felt like he had a little more energy. He walked over next to Shaya, careful not to get too near, and laid back, stretching as well. His back gave a little popping sound and he sighed, not realizing his back had gotten so tense.

Stalker laid there looking at the sky and the stars that shone above for a few moments. Stalker finally spoke. ?I?m good with a blaster. I?m getting good with a sword. But in a fighter, I?m one of the best. There?s a certain peace that, used to come with flying for me. Up there, when I was a kid, all I ever really wanted was to fly through the stars. I made that dream come true. The beauty of planets from the unobstructed view of a fighter cockpit is still, almost enough to take my breath away.? A single tear came to his eye. ?I had forgotten that. I had been so busy trying to hide or run from my pain and nightmares, that I forgot to do what makes me happy. Just fly.? Stalker gave a little sigh. ?Things were simple before the war. Even during the war, things were simpler to me then I had imagined, in hinesight. Um?.that all changed 5 years ago, when my world had been knocked upside-down. At the end of the 10 Year Galatic War.?

Stalker paused and wiped a couple of tears away. He took a couple of deep breaths. He needed to tell someone and get it out in the open. It?s been eating at him for 5 years and it was going to get him killed, eventually. ?You see, history says that my crew and I made a galiant scarifice of our lives and our ship in order to stop the Aliens from reaching Earth at the Moon.? Stalker silently cursed the tears that were threatening to spill out. ?That?s not what happen?exactly. The Aliens had us beat?and badly. Even Megafire, our ship,? Stalker paused, ?my command, was taking damage at levels that it had never suffered during my command. Two more Battlestars and us were moving to protect the Evac ships from what was left of the fleet. We were out gunned 20 to 1, easily. One of the Battlestars was loosing it?s shields and weapons were going offline. We maneuvered into a position to allow them to fall back. That?s when the Aliens shot a gun we?d never seen before. It was moving slow enough that we saw it coming but fast enough that we couldn?t get out of the way. My Command staff, which consisted of my only brother and,? Stalker let out a little sigh, wiping at more tears, ?4 of my closest, dearest friends, all pushed me into an express elevator that took me to the flight deck. As?? Stalker cleared his throat, ?as they shoved me in, they all looked at me and said I was the only one who could stop them, the Aliens. They?they?? A sob escaped Stalker?s lips. He took a couple of deep breaths and silently willed himself to continue. ?They said they knew I would find a way. Just?.as the doors?closed, the Bridge took a direct hit from that blast. The explosion ripped a hole in the Bridge, almost completely erasing it from existance. They were?? Stalker sobbed some more, unable to stop it quickly. He paused for a few minutes. ?They were looking me right in the eye as the door shut, when the doors shut.? Stalker started to cry, uncontrolably. ?God, Shaya, I can still see their faces like it happen yesterday.? Stalker, despite the crying, gave a little laugh. ?My brother saluted me! He never saluted me! Oh god, so many looks in such a short span of time!?

Stalker was unable to talk for a few minutes, crying. He shut his eyes, trying to will himself to calm down. ?I didn?t get to say good-bye. I didn?t tell them how I felt?still feel about them! I didn?t make a move to grab them, any of them, and pull them into the elevator with me. I was in shock! I should have tried!? Stalker seethed while he cryed. The guilt he felt, while he knew it wasn?t deserved, came pouring out in those 4 words. Stalker reached up and rubbed his eyes. After several moments, he finally calmed down enough to continue. ?Then a split second later, the explosion detroyed the top half of the elevator. My left arm is still scarred from it. All I could do, at that point, was run. I managed to pull myself into Starfire and launch. I was going to make those Aliens pay for what they did.? Stalker was still sobbing but he was more under control now. ?I never even got to fire a shot. They simply turned and left. It was?it was almost as if they knew they missed their only shot at some unknown target and decided to quit while they were ahead.? Stalker still was sobbing and the questions he?d carried around with him for the last 5 years came tumbling out. ?Why would they do that? Why would the Aliens just turn tail and leave like that? They had, essentially, won! We couldn?t rebuild fast enough to fight them anymore. Earth was theirs! Why would my brother and friends save me like that? If I hadn?t managed to stop the Aliens by that point, why would they think I would have been able to stop them later? Oh, God, it doesn?t make any sense!?

Stalker then sat up and turned so he could face Shaya and looked into her eyes. ?I?ve been reliving that moment for 5 years. I?d have stretches where I wouldn?t have the dream, but more often than not, I did. Shaya, I saw them again, tonight. In my dream but, it? it was different.? Stalker paused and closed his eyes for a moment, as if trying to relive what he had seen. When he opened his eyes, the tears came flowing freely, once again, but he was calmer. The peace that had returned to his eyes moments before was back and they turned a lighter, brighter blue. ?My brother apologized. He never apologized for anything. My friends told me it was good to see me, not to give up and it wasn?t over. That they are with me, always. My bro?b?? Stalker had to pause and take a few deep breaths. ?He hugged me, turned me toward that dreadful elevator and told me that I had to come back?that?that it wasn?t my time. They all patted me on my back.? Stalker stopped and sobbed a little more. He hugged his arms around himself.

After a few moments, he stopped sobbing and the tears had slowed considerably. Stalker finally took a deep breath and continued, ?Anyway, I heard a voice calling me, but it didn?t belong there. So, of course, I had to find out who it was and that?s when I saw you.? Stalker looked over at Shaya and smiled. ?I miss them terribly, Shaya. I?ve felt so alone. I want to bring them back.? Stalker saw a look pass across Shaya?s face, but was unable to read it. He reached out and, very tentativly took her hand, almost afraid it would disappear. ?But I can?t. I also can?t go to them.? Stalker gave a lopsided grin and rubbed his thumb across the back of Shaya?s hand as he held it. ?I?m too stubborn to go and I?m simply not ready, They?ll just have to wait quite a bit longer, I think? Stalker chuckled. He also started to blush. He hadn?t opened up to anyone like that in what seemed like a lifetime ago. He looked down, trying to hide his embarrassment, and chuckled, still holding Shaya?s hand. ?Sorry, Shaya. I meant to give you the Readers Digest version. You know, ?Big Bad Aliens come to kick Earth?s butt. Killed lots of people and wiped out all my friends and brother then disappeared.? I didn?t mean to dump on you. But, um, thanks for listening.? Stalker blushed even more and was thankful it was dark. Hopefully, Shaya couldn?t tell, though he had a feeling she could. He continued to look down and muttered. ?So much for the ?Macho, I?m not afraid of anything? fighter pilot type.? He used his free hand to wipe the lingering tears from his eyes. Stalker gave Shaya's hand a little squeeze and relaxed his hold on Shaya?s hand, ready to let it go, if she wanted.

Shaya chuckled at his comment about the 'Macho, I?m not afraid of anything? fighter pilot type' and squeezed his hand gently in return. "It's quite refreshing, actually. All the crew on the ship walk around not crying when they are hurt or looking for their friends or family, when we were attacked." Stalker had forgotten all about the attack. Shaya looked at him and the sky. "The way they act makes me shiver, sometimes. Not caring but they think I'm the weak link and make Adrin the same as me because I am a woman and cry easily." Shaya looked at Stalker, once more. "Adrin and I grieve for those lost in that ship. Just like you grieve and are still grieving for your friends and family, Stalker. That makes us human, not unfeeling creatures."

Stalker knew all of that, of course. The new dream he had and talking with Shaya seemed to have returned an inner peace that had been missing for so very long, to him. Stalker laided down next to Shaya, on his side, so he could look at her easily. Looking up at the sky once more. Stalker said, sounding completely exhausted, "Ah, but mercenaries, pirates and such as supposed to be tough and unfeeling, cold hearted S.O.B's. Didn't you know that?" Stalker flashed a tired lopsided grin after saying it then stifled a yawn. "I think, as soon as Adrin's doctor says I'm clean of that poison, I'll go for a little flight in Starfire. Not a job, just a flight. Have some fun with it while I run those scans to find those attackers."

Stalker looked back at Shaya and she was looking back up into the sky again. He laid there next to her for a little while, gently holding her hand still, mostly because he just didn't want to move. Finally, he spoke, quietly. "If Adrin doesn't mind, you are more than welcome to go along, Shaya." Stalker then stifled a yawn. He closed his eyes for a moment. At least he meant to. Instead, he feel fast, deeply asleep in no time at all. His breathing was quiet. A small smile was on his lips. This would end up being the beginning of the best sleep Stalker would have had in 5 years.

Stalker had another dream. This one was different. Him just flying along in space, passing a few nebula's. Having some fun in an asteroid belt that he was sure someone other than Starfire would probably lay into him for doing. He slept soundly for what felt like an eternity. When he awoke, he stretched, yawned and sleepily rubbed his eyes. "Oh, man! I'm sorry Shaya", Stalker apologized, sleepily. "I didn't mean to fall a....sleep...on....you? Huh?" Once his eyes were open, he realized that this wasn't where he had fallen asleep.

Stalker looked around the room and could tell it was a ship of some type. His weapons were laid down near by. His flight jacket was hanging up. He had no idea how long he had been asleep. Shaya must have brought him here. Stalker shook his head and grinned. He muttered to himself "Shaya, I'm too heavy for you to do that and risk the baby. Oh well, first thing I need to do is found out how long I've been asleep." He ran his hand over his face and felt some stuble, but not a ton, so he slept, at least 4 hours. Stalker made a motion to stand someone came into the room with a chart. It was the Doctor. "Well, you're finally awake."

Stalker looked at the Doctor and gave a sheepish grin. "Yeah, I could probably still sleep. I'm guessing Shaya told you about the poison?" Stalker figured that he would probably need to get some blood drawn to ensure the poison was no longer in his system.

Stalker looked up as Shaya entered the room, smiling and saying ?Well, hello sleepy head!? Stalker chuckled and responded ?What can I say? You know how to were a guy out!?

Shaya must have stupendous hearing to have heard his muttered comment. ?You weren?t. I have a few secrets of my own. So what?s the prognosis Doc, is he clear??

The Doctor nodded ?He?s fine Lady Shaya. He just needs to rest, like you do, remember??

Shaya nodded to the doctor, ?I know, I know. I will soon. I?m just going to show Stalker to his room.? Then she looked at Stalker, ?You?re staying here where we can keep an eye on you, and Starfire has been worried about you.?

She tossed Stalker his flight jacket, ?He?s in the hanger. Come on, I?ll show you where that is. First the room, then the mess hall, where you don?t really have to eat, if you don?t want to.? Stalker was surprised by the mention of a Hanger and a mess hall. He didn?t think Adrin?s group was that big. He quickly put his holster on, holstered his blaster and tucked the other blaster in his belt at the small of his back. He then put on his flight jacket and picked up his sheathed sword, carrying it as he caught up to a waiting Shaya.

As they called and passed crew, Stalker looked at Shaya as they walked. ?How big of an operation is this? More importantly, how long was I asleep?? After Shaya answered, Stalker gave her a mock concerned and serious look and said quietly ?You know, the crew are going to start talking. You?re bringing home ?strays? and visiting them in the med bays.? Stalker was struggling to keep a straight face. He was willing to bet the mischievous twinkle in his eyes was probably going to give him away.

After Shaya showed Stalker to his room and showed him where the mess hall is, they went to the Hanger and Stalker saw Starfire?who was telling a member of the ground crew that he didn?t need to have a pre-flight check on him, especially by her. The ground crew member, Stalker assumed she was a foreman, told Starfire it was standard operating procedure there and that he didn?t have a choice. Stalker chuckled and looked at Shaya. ?Persistent, isn?t she?? Stalker could tell, even from a distance, that the ground crew member was ex-military by the command in her voice. Stalker saw her slap Starfire?s fuselage and, immediately, jerk her hand back from a little electrical charge that Starfire hit her with. The ground crew member then started cursing Starfire. Stalker figured it had probably gone on enough when he saw other ground crew members watching. Apparently, she wasn?t the first one Starfire was harassing. Stalker called out in his best command voice ?Starfire, ground crew, stand down?! Shaya jumped a little as Stalker called out and several members of the ground crew, including the woman that was going toe to toe with Starfire snapped to attention. Stalker looked over at Shaya, gave her an apologetic smile and a wink and said to her, quietly, ?Trust me, you didn?t want that to continue.? Then he called out, again in his command voice when he was about 2 feet away from Starfire, ?Ground crew, ? looking around at the gathered onlookers, ?I?m sure you all have other things to be doing. Please, get to it!? Everyone scrambled away from the area. Stalker thought he saw a chuckle on Shaya?s face.

The lone ground crew member that had been dealing with Starfire, still stood at attention. Stalker looked her over and walked toward her, circling her once, as he had done many times when he was a Commander in the military then stopped facing her. ?You?re ex-military aren?t you?? He received a crisp and loud, ?Sir, yes, sir!? Stalker sighed. ?Relax, you?re not in the military anymore. Please forgive Starfire. He?s not very trusting. Even when we were in the military, there were only 3 people allowed to work him, ever. Now, there are two, myself and,? Stalker hesitated for the slightest of moments, considering how to address Shaya in front of a member of Adrin?s crew, ?apparently, Lady Shaya. Please exclude Starfire from any SOP around here.?

The crew member didn?t salute, but snapped off a crisp ?Sir, yes, sir?, turned on her heel and marched off. The displeasure of such a request was noticeable in her eyes. Stalker chuckled as Shaya moved closer to them. He turned to Starfire, ?You know, that?s not the best way to make friends pal!? He patted Starfire, ?It?s good to see you but you must be becoming a sucker for a pretty face like me if you came here.? Stalker looked over at Shaya and gave her a wink?he also got a small zap from Starfire.

?I was concerned about your well being and traced your comlink to here, that is merely all. Lady Shaya was kind enough to offer me cover from the elements? Starfire commented. ?Besides?I? wanted a change of scenery?, he lied.

Stalker laughed, ?You?re getting better, Starfire, I?ll give you that. I can still tell when you are lying, though.? Then he turned to Shaya, ?Thanks again. At this rate, I?m never going to be able to pay you back. I guess, first thing tomorrow morning, Starfire and I will go up and see if we can find the base of those attackers. Anything new about them since the night on the roof??

The day had been full of little suprirses. First was the fact that Stalker slept a few more hours. He didn't think the confrontation with The Weasel had taken it out of him so badly. Then there was the Memorial Wall. Stalker felt truely sorry about Zach's brother, even if he was ready to prevent him from causing anymore trouble for Shaya and Adrin. The attack had been worse than he had believed, apparently. Stalker had put a gentle hand on Shaya's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. He was going to help find the attackers and find out what he could about them. Stalker was pretty sure, since Adrin didn't like Space, that Starfire and he would be able to provide some information or find some clues that normally wouldn't be found.

Then, Stalker was surprised that Shaya had said she was personally seeing to Starfire. He hadn't expected that. He was really racking up the debt. When Shaya came over to them, he was shaking his head at the Ground crew member. "She is the best ground crew we got, also a very fine pilot."

Stalker nodded and looked over at Shaya. "With people like that, Adrin should consider going legit and run his own shipping company. With the right people. he'd make a killing."

Shaya turned to Starfire and said, "Well, Starfire, do I have permission to stay? I may say, you look a little worse for wear." She heard Stalker mumble "Oh no, here it comes."

"Yes, Lady Shaya, I think you are correct. It's been five years since I've been given a new coat of paint and a good lubing. I mean, really, listen to my wings!" Starfire swung his swing wings forward and then back. Stalker merely shook his head, trying not to laugh. "There is definately an audible creak when I move my wings! I have mentioned to Stalker multiple times that there is something amiss. But he simply refuses to believe me and insists I'm being paranoid."

While Starfire spoke, Stalker held up two fingers to indicate that Starfire had only mentioned it twice. Stalker was clearly trying not to laugh at Starfire...and very close to failing. Starfire zapped him for it. "Hey!" Stalker yelped! "We can't exactly having you look like you roled off of the assembly line yesterday, now can we? You're a fighter, not some fashionista!" Stalker slapped Starfire's haul...and got zapped.

"Lady Shaya, surely you heard the creak? Stalker almost seems to think I've gone...um...'mental'. I find it disconcerting that he would think that" Starfire complained. "I mean, really, does he have to fly through every asteroid belt he sees?"

Stalker was chuckling, "It's not"...Stalker used his fingers as quotes..."every"...then he put his hands down... "asteroid belt I see. I didn't fly through the ones at Ord Mendell, after all." Stalker held up his hand to ward off the next comment from Starfire, "And, yes, I remember that there were proximity mines all throughout it and, no, that wasn't why I didn't fly through it." He looked at Shaya. "He's a little 'melodramatic' these days."

Starfire swung his wings as far back as they would go and lowered the nose a little. "Stalker...I'm glad you are better. Your vital signs did give me a scare for a little while there."

Stalker reached up and patted Starfire's haul at the nose and looked at Shaya. "Well, Pal, I guess Shaya is putting us both back together. If she hadn't come around, you'd be heading back to Earth."

Stalker walked over to Shaya and placed both hands on her shoulders. "Shaya, I have no idea how I'm going to pay you back for everything you've done for me. I promise, though, Starfire and I will do everything we can to help you and Adrin find the attackers and find who they are working for. First thing tomorrow, Starfire and I are going to go up and run some scans from orbit. It's going to be dull, unless we find something, but you are welcome to come along, if you'd like."

Shaya appeared to be completely amused by the exchange between Starfire and Stalker...and even marvelled, perhaps, at Starfire. That is, if Stalker was reading her expressions correctly. She looked away from Starfire when Stalker placed his hands on her shoulders.

When Shaya told him that Adrin destroyed the attacker's base, he was a little surprised. "Well, so much for doing something to pay you guys back."

Shaya walked away for a moment and returned. "Alright, I"m not a designer of fighter jets but I do know my systems and weapons, so I think it's time you upgraded your systems and gave you an overhaul."

Starfire bleeped! "An overhaul! But, but, but...I...my blasters are top of the line military grade and I have the most..." Stalker interrupted him "Circa 5 years ago, Starfire. Relax. If I can trust Shaya with my life, you can as well. If she can't upgrade it, she'll just fix it up." Stalker patted Starfire's haul.

Shaya looked over at Stalker and smiled. "As for me re-building you, Stalker, no, hun, it was time for you to heal yourself and you did that." Stalker made himself look busy by looking at Starfire's starboard intake. "Yeah, well, you still helped."

Shaya studied the scratches and dents, gently. "Adrin is legit, though, I guess it would be something new for him to do." She looked at Stalker. "So, you helping or watching?"

Stalker gave Shaya a shrug. "I'll do what I can, but I'm no mechanic."

Starfire gave an electronic chuckle, "That's for sure!" Stalker merely gave Starfire a thwap.

Shaya tossed him a toolbelt with a smile and climbed up to the cockpit, looking inside and mumling in a foreign tongue, sighing pulling her long dark hair into a ponytail. "Time to get to work."

Starfire sounded nervous, "What? What did you see? What's wrong? What did Stalker do to me that I don't know about?"

Stalker laughed, climbing up after Shaya, shaking his head. "Well, first things first. Let's put Starfire in protected mode. That, essentially, dumps all his programming and memories into a 'black box', so he doesn't get lost. It will also allow him to still stay functional while you work on him so he can run any diagnostics you want or anything like that." Stalker put in the override to do so then moved off to get the "black box" and attach it to the System Shaya had setup. When he came back, he opened a heavy, sheilded access hatch in the middle of Starfire, on top. It was probably where the armor was the thickest, as well. "Shaya, you need to know about this, though. This is were Starfire get's all his power. This is the 'Energy Crystal' reaction chamber with one of only two known 'Energy Crystals'. Congrats, you are now one of about 15 people that know about this. The other one, which is double the size, is in the USS Megafire, the BattleStar I used to command. The power from this thing appears to be unlimited. The limitations have been in the system for getting the power from the Crystal to Starfire's components. Nothing developed, so far, has been effceint enough. The chamber has been designed by some of the Earth Forces top Alliance minds."

Stalker let Shaya get a good look. "This is part of why, but the biggest reason why Starfire and I are very picky about who does any work on him. Whatever you do, don't touch it, even just by accident. At the very least, you'll be knocked into next year." Stalker closed the access hatch and Starfire's systems automatically sealed it. "Starfire, in general, is a lot like an old 20th Century Supercat, the last version of the Tomcat, F-14D varient, only about 10% bigger due to the demands placed on Spaceframes. Starfire also has a defensive sheild that is called a 'Laser Grid'. It's, at least 30% more powerful than conventional energy sheilds, thanks to the Energy Crystal." Stalker gave Shaya a shrug. "Outside of that, he does have advanced weapon systems and sensors and his engines are some of the most powerful around. We're still the fastest, but the margin is getting smaller on a yearly basis now. What would you like to take on first?" Stalker gave Shaya a smile. No, he wasn't a mechanic, but he knew what made Starfire...well...Starfire.

Stalker chuckled. ?If you could upgrade effeicency to 200 percent, yeah, I?d say we?d be interested. I mean, that?s a no brainer. But putting a chip in my head, well, never been fond of that idea. Kind of takes the fun out of flying, after all?, Stalker said. ?My comlink?, holding up his wrist and showing his watch/comlink, ?has built in sensors. Starfire pretty much knows when I?m in trouble.? Stalker offered Shaya a lopsided grin.

When Shaya started talking about weapons, Starfire actually sounded hurt. ?My blasters have done good. Plasma would be better, though they tend to recharge slowly. A combination of Lazer Blasters and Plasma cannons would be great. That is, assuming you can overcome the energy effeicency issues. Has there been any advanced in the Laser Missle area? I haven?t kept tabs on those.?

When Shaya unveiled the new ship, Stalker?s jaw dropped and Starfire?s would have. Stalker merely walked over to it started looking it over. Shaya called over her shoulder, ?The choice is yours guys!? Two crew members approached her and they spoke animatedly smiling and laughing. She turned back to Stalker and Starfire. ?Just reminding me I have a doctors appointment.?

Starfire, of course, scanned the whole thing. This time, Starfire sounded scared. ?Shaya, no offense, but, that?s pretty much akin to taking my brain and putting it into another body. Would you be happy if someone did that to you or Adrin?? Stalker was still poking, proding and examining the new hull. ?Stalker, you can?t be seriously thinking??

Stalker chuckled. ?No, I?m not. It is impressive, but no. You?re current hull has unique manuveuring characteristics that I?m not willing to trade. I think coating the existing hull is a good idea, though. Maybe, we could even inject it into the Space-Frame.? Stalker shook his head. ?Shaya, you are a glutton for punishment, aren?t you? The doctor told you to take it easy, after all. How is Adrin going to take you doing all this work??

Starfire listen to the exchange between Stalker and Shaya. Finally he said, "Ok, Shaya. Let's see what kind of magic you can work. How long will I be 'grounded'?"

With that, Stalker patted Starfire's hull. "Don't worry about it, Pal. However long it takes, is fine by me. We don't have any new jobs lined up, anyway. I think a small break is in order." He looked over at Shaya, "A new weapon, huh? I'm glad we're on the same side", Stalker laughed! "If Starfire starts getting cranky on you because he hasn't flown for awhile, just remind him it'll be that much longer before I run him through an Asteroid belt to make sure everything holds." He gave Shaya a conspiratorial wink then looked over at Adrin's fighter. "It has nice lines and looks like it's highly maneuverable. For someone that claims she doesn't know anything about fighters, you do better than some engineer's I know."

Stalker turned back around, taking off his flight jacket, hanging it on Starfire's nose and rolled up his sleeves, stifling a yawn. "So, when and where do we get started?" At that point, he noticed, for the first time, that the scares on his left arm weren't nearly as deep as they once were. "Amazing... the doctors said I would need plastic surgery", Stalker whispered as he touched his arm. Then he shook his head, casually crossed his arms and looked to Shaya, ready to work. He stifled another yawn.

Stalker walked over and got the diagnostic equipment for Shaya and watched her work. He was surprised she didn't have to replace any parts on Starfire's engines. As Shaya worked, he commented on the dermal repairer. "Figures I'd get stuck with a quack back on Earth", he chuckled.

Stalker looked over at the "Star Burst" that Shaya was showing him. "That may come in handy but how much does it weight? Starfire is considered a Heavy Fighter, just because of his power output, not a Heavy Assault shuttle" Stalker smiled.

Stalker caught the tossed handgun and tested the balance and weight in his hands. "I could think of a few practical applications for this. Could come in hand to make a quick way out." He looked at Shaya when she spoke to the baby. When Shaya asked if he wanted to feel the baby, he walked over and put his hand on her belly. Instead of a kick, he got, what could be described, as a nudge. He chuckled and moved his hand away from her belly. "I can't say I've every had that happen before, being nudged by a not-yet-born baby." He looked at her belly and called out "Be nice or I won't take you flying when you are old enough!" He gave Shaya a lopsided grin.

They worked on Starfire, taking breaks, laughing and having general chit-chat for the rest of the week. Stalker ended up passing on the "Star Burst". Starfire's simulations with it had mixed results, with two of them showing the weapon blowing apart and doing heavy damage to Starfire. Starfire, of course, got cranky about being "grounded".

One night, Shaya was working on Starfire.

"Shaya, you should be asleep, shouldn't you", Starfire asked. "Is something bothering you? I can get Stalker, if you would like. If the baby is keeping you awake, perhaps some soothing music would help. I read that it is suggested that exposing babies to classical music helps their intelligence and soothes them so the mother can rest."

"Shaya, I do worry about Stalker's friends, like he would, as they are my friends, too. Besides, you are the only person to have done any upgrade or repair work since Stalker and I left the military." Starfire stated. "I can tell just from diagnostics, you've improved my systems effeciency by 40%. Stalker's going to think you gave me new engines!"

Starfire listened to the tune Shaya was humming. "That is a pretty tune. I think, if I were human, I would call it soothing." Eventually, Starfire was humming along with Shaya for a few minutes. Then, Starfire sighed and pivoted his nose gear, lowering his nose a bit. The movement surprised Shaya, but wasn't enough to knock her off balance. "I miss the hustle and chaos of the flight deck, Shaya. I just don't know how to tell Stalker. We are both done with the military, but I've been on the ground more the last year than I have ever been. He seems so happy here and content. Especially now that he has faced down some of his Demons. But...I...fear that he's loosing his edge. That, if it comes to a fight, he won't be ready or able to handle it. The scars on his arms were reminders of what happen but he seems fine with letting them go. I don't understand."

Starfire paused for a few moments before continuing. For all the logic and advanced programming, Starfire would tell most people that he felt like a 10 year old kid, when it came to understanding emotions and reactions. "I've been trying to learn more about emotions and how people react to them. I don't understand any of it. I've heard ground crew members in the military, no matter what base or ship we are at say how inspired Stalker's flying is. It makes me proud to hear that and Stalker is always quick to point out that I'm a big part of why he can fly like he does. The truth is, I'm merely the instrument he uses. Stalker actually does most of it on his own. Is it possible for someone to become too content, Shaya? What...what if he doesn't need me around anymore?" With that, there was an ackward silence. Starfire had been around people enough to know surprise when he detected it.

Stalker couldn't get back to sleep. He was tired, there was no question, but he couldn't sleep. Something didn't feel right. His sixth sense had been nagging him and that was the cause for his awakening but he simply could not get back to sleep. After a couple of hours of uselessly trying, Stalker finally got up and dressed, including his holster and blaster. He went to the galley and made himself a sandwich, knowing that if the chef caught him, he'd have an argument. He also grabbed a bottle of water. He ate his sandwich as he took a long walk before going to the hanger to check on Starfire.

When Stalker opened the door to the hanger, he heard Shaya and Starfire talking. He stopped and listened.

"Listen to me, Starfire, from what I know of Stalker, and of you, he will always need you, like I will need you and him around to talk to when Adrin is busy, like he needs you around to get his butt outta trouble," Shaya was saying. Stalker chuckled to himself and smiled. Trouble had a bad habit of finding him.

"And, by the way, he fought earlier, your worrying about nothing. Trust me, that guy will need all of us around." Shaya had said to Starfire which caused Stalker to nod his head in agreement.

Stalker then heard her singing softly and he couldn't help but smile a little more. He very gently and quietly shut the door. Whatever was bothering Starfire, he didn't want Stalker to worry and he was going to respect that. Stalker when for a walk down the runway. It was a clear night, with all the stars twinkling. There were some crates stacked up next to the runway, covered with a tarp. Stalker made himself comfortable there and looked up at the sky. One of the nebula's was visible with colors going from a light, almost pale green and shifting to a blue-purple toward the "bottom". He promised himself that, when Starfire's upgrades were done, they would go check out that nebula.

===============================================

Starfire chuckled at Shaya's comment. "He does have a knack for getting in over his head, doesn't he? He once went out of his way for a week to avoid any and all trouble. He went so far as to just stay in his quarters for an entire day. He STILL got into the middle of a situation." Starfire laughed.

Starfire was listening to Shaya sing and decided to open his sensors up and scan the area. Stalker told him not to worry about it here but Starfire was programmed to defend Stalker and would continue to ensure things were safe. He just didn't do it constantly. That was when he detected Stalker out on the runway, getting comfortable on some crates. "Speaking of Stalker, he's out on the runway, watching the sky. I wonder if he's getting restless as well."

Shaya looked up at Starfire but Starfire straightened his nose gear, raising his nose, and started speaking again, "I think he may have found more trouble as well. At his 3 o'clock, there are some woods about 30 yards away. I can't get a good reading but there is a group of beings out there, huddled together, as if trying to hide. Stalker doesn't have his comlink."

===============================================

Stalker had his arms crossed over his chest and had almost fallen asleep when he heard a twig crack to his right. Stalker slowly opened his eyes and casually moved his right hand closer to his blaster and let out a little sigh. "Maybe this is why my sixth sense is nagging me. Just as well, maybe then I can get some sleep."

Stalker was considering whether to investigate the twig breaking or to just brush it off when he heard a roar in the distance. He was wondering what it was when he heard the familiar whistle that Starfire's engines made. Next, he heard many footfalls and turned in time to see a couple of shadows to his right. After a moment, he realized it was part of a group of Panthers.

"Oh-ho," Stalker muttered when a few of them came up to him, as he stood, one standing to either side and one in front.

The others were near the treeline, but did not go in. He heard Starfire's engines behind him and heard a flapping of large wings when he turned to his left as he heard Shaya's voice, "Did I miss the fun" she asked?

Stalker chuckled and shook his head. "No, I don't think so. New trick?" Stalker asked indicating the wings Shaya had. "Let me guess, Starfire detected something?" Shaya nodded but her attention was on the treeline where the Panthers were. "I'm also guessing he's ready to fly, as well. Starfire" he called over his shoulder, "are you getting antsy?"

"I am merely a fighter, Stalker, I don't get 'antsy'." Shaya had returned to her human form when her and Stalker exchanged knowing looks.

"You know, whatever was there, you guys probably scared it/them off." Stalker looked at Shaya and saw her still staring intently at the area. Stalker sighed, "Starfire, don't tell me, you detected some life forms".

"Yes, but they changed. They have become much, much smaller" Starfire replied.

Stalker nodded, "Yeah, I bet they did." He chuckled and started forward, the three Panthers following him. "This feels weird. Is one of them Smoke?" Stalker made his way through the group of Panthers and entered the tree line. He heard enough leaves crunch and twigs break that he knew all the Panther's were coming in with him. "Give me a little room, will ya?"

Stalker spotted something slightly to his right and about 10 feet in. He made his way over there and found an old man, curled up in a ball. The Panther's blocked Stalker's path. Stalker swung to his left and still moved forward, there he saw a woman and a little puppy. They were all obviously terrified.

"We were just looking for this puppy! He is to be a gift to our grandson! He got out and ran away! We chased him here! We didn't mean any harm" the old man blurted out!

"Sorry, sir, but this is a restricted area, of sorts. I think it'll be best to head out the way you came, please" he said to the man. "I'm sorry we startled you. Can't be too careful these days." Stalker then looked around at the Panthers. "Ok, give him room! Back off! Everyone out of the woods!"

When Stalker and the Panther's emgerged from the woods, he motioned for Starfire to set down. "You should have taken your comlink with you, Stalker", Starfire nearly growled as he lowered his landing gear and set down, shutting down the engines. "What are you doing out here, anyway?"

Stalker next looked at Shaya, as he took a seat on the crates, once again, expecting to be admonished by her as well. She merely gave him an expectant look. As he sat back, Stalker made a dismissive noise "I couldn't sleep anymore. For some reason, my 'Sixth Sense' has been nagging me all night." He looked at Shaya, "I always get restless when that happens" he shrugged. As if on cue, we, a Panther came up and laid it's head on Stalker's lap. "I'm guessing this one is Smoke. Hi, buddy!" Stalker settled back and looked up at the sky again. "Shaya, do you see those colors up there? They go from a kind of green to blue-purple? That is one of the Nebulas in the solar system. If Starfire is cleared for flight, I think he and I will go take a look. Just to satisfy curiosity."

Starfire spoke first, "That sounds like a nice idea. However, not your usual style. You just want to fly."

Stalker nodded and watched as Shaya looked up at the Nebula as he petted Smoke. "What better way to test your engines, Starfire! Perhaps, if we promise to make it as smooth as a flight as possible, Shaya may consider accompanying us." Stalker leaned his head back against the crates. "Nothing like a good flight to sooth the soul and clear the head."

"Grounded? Aren't you the same one that just had wings a moment ago?" Stalker chuckled. He patted Shara on the side. "Hi Shara. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get up." Shara stood and moved over to the group of Panthers that were laying down nearby. Stalker stood and stretched. "Ok, well, I'm not going up at the moment, anyway. I'm going to try to get some more sleep. It's almost 4 am, I'm guessing."

Shaya looked over at Starfire, "Just make sure you test everything Starfire, I'd like to know how they work out."

"Absolutely, Shaya", Starfire responded.

"Once I wake up, we'll run a full diagnositc and a full pre-flight check before we go up" Stalker said.

"That'll take hours" Starfire exclaimed!

Stalker merely looked at Starfire. "Wa! Aren't you the one that is always getting on me about not running pre-flight checks? There have been some major changes made and I want to make sure we're going to be able to, at least, get off of the ground. Once you get back to the hanger, you can start the diagnostics and when I wake, in a few hours, we'll do the pre-flight. We'll be in the air before lunch."

Starfire loosed an electronic blat at Stalker and moved off to the hanger, grumbling. He called out to Stalker, "I just flew, I'm perfectly fine! But I'll humor you."

Stalker simply looked over at Shaya, with a lopsided grin, and said "Did you give him a personality trasnplant when I wasn't looking?" He started walking next to Shaya toward the hanger.

After Shaya left, Stalker felt drained and he was thankful for it. As he was getting ready for bed, he thought about what Shaya said. Starfire wanting to show off? That didn?t sound like him. ?Unless?could he be feeling unwanted? We?ve been on the ground a lot more than usual. Oh, Starfire.? Stalker shook his head, got cleaned up and went to bed. He fell asleep in no time.
===============================================

Starfire was running his diagnostics when he discovered a minor problem. His sensors needed to be calibrated. He knew where the panthers were and decided to use that location to calibrate his sensors. He and Stalker could fine tune them further later on. After about an hour and a half, Starfire could clearly identify each panther, even though most of them were laying on top of each other and he could even pick up insects in areas he was concentrating on. Satisfied that his senors were working properly again, he located Stalker?s room and widened out his area of focus. He didn?t find anything unusual. Starfire kept a focused cone and started to sweep that cone around the base when he started detecting crew members awakening and moving around. The kitchen had a lot of activity, of course. Some of the crew were starting to make their way into the hanger? and weren?t too happy to find paper all over the place from Starfire?s take off, last night. They were completely confused as to why paper was all over the place. One was cursing because his parts orders were completely out of order.

Soon, it was 8:00 AM and Stalker was still in bed, but he was rolling over more. Starfire knew it would be only a matter of minutes before he awoke.
===============================================

Stalker awoke and quickly washed. By the time he dressed and headed to the galley, it was 8:30 AM. He was surprised Starfire let him sleep in. He packed up his duffle bag, made sure he had everything with him and his weapons were on him. He ate a hearty breakfast and was drinking his 3rd glass of milk when he entered the hanger. It was full of activity and all sort of sounds of work going on. Stalker walked over to Shaya?s bay, where Starfire was. ?Morning, Pal! Ready to run a pre-flight? How did the diagnostic come out?? As he spoke, he opened a small cargo bay in Starfire?s port side fuselage.

?Minor blip with the sensors. I have recalibrated them and show all green? Starfire replied.

They started their pre-flight check list. Stalker was visually checking and inspecting everything he should. A couple of crewers came over with Missiles for Starfire?s racks and loaded them up. Stalker thanked them and was about to climb up the ladder when Shaya showed up.

?Well, hello, Slee?um?baby giving you fits?? Stalker stopped his comment upon seeing that she didn?t appear to be well.

Shaya nodded as she took a seat. Stalker returned to the pre-flight inspection and checklist. As they were working, Starfire asked, ?Do you think she?s going to be ok??

Stalker looked over at Shaya and turned back to Starfire. ?You know, she can probably hear us, being part panther and all, but, yeah, I think she?ll be fine. Especially once the baby is born. Besides, you and I need to get out of here. I don?t know about you, but I?m going stir crazy.? Stalker chuckles and patted Starfire on the side. When he turned around, Shaya was still sitting, watching Stalker and Starfire. He walked up to her and gave her a lopsided grin to hide his concern. ?You know, I would have told you I?ll see you later.?

"I know you do, Shaya. You also have the world?s best excuse." Stalker gently reached out and patted Shaya's belly. "He's going to be a handful." Stalker saw Shaya give him a look. "Gut feeling. Besides, in my family, it was always the boys that put their fathers on the floor before they were born." Stalker laughed.

Shaya stood, "Have fun you two."

Stalker couldn't help the trademark lopsided grin that came to his face. "You know us, Shaya. What could possibly happen?" He gave her a hug and a friendly kiss on the forehead. "You call us if anything comes up. We'll be back in no time. Ok?"

With that, Stalker turned and took a few long half running steps back to Starfire, who had lowered his nose by pivoting his nose gear. Stalker leaped up, grabbed the side of Starfire's cockpit one armed and launched himself up into the cockpit. He hadn't done that move in a very long time and it just felt right. Stalker didn't put a helmet, he rarely did. Ground crew hooked Starfire's nose gear to the "mule" that was used to pull aircraft out of the hanger. Once the engines were clear of the hanger and Starfire was facing 90 degrees to the port, Starfire brought his engines online.

Stalker made the ailerons and such move, testing them out. He glanced over and saw Shaya still standing and watching. Giving Starfire's engines some power; they taxied to the runway and were pointing down it in a matter of a minute. Stalker got take off clearance from the local Air Traffic Tower and Stars End Spaceport. Stalker looked to the starboard and saw Shaya and a few ground crew come out of the hanger, watching. He gave Shaya thumbs up and then a formal, crisp salute. Then his lopsided grin was back and he gave her a wink. He pointed to her then to his eye, indicating he wished her to watch. "Starfire, let's see just how good the engines are now. Are you ready?"

Starfire snorted. "Of course I'm ready! But the last time we did something like what I think you are going to do, we scorched the tarmac."

Stalker chuckled. "Yep, but let's give Shaya a little show, since she won't be flying with us."

To indicate he was ready, Starfire placed the landing gear in a hard launch mode, which slightly lowered him. Then Stalker pushed the throttles forward. Once the landing gear was an inch off of the ground, Starfire raised it. Then, Stalker started to silently count to 5.

"The ground crew is cheering. Shaya appears to be simply waiting", Starfire observed.

Stalker chuckled and the lopsided grin became a huge grin. "Time to make some jaws drop. Let's go!" With that, Stalker slammed the throttles all the way to the overload stops and pulled back on the stick. Starfire stood up on his "tail", flew vertical to the ground for a heartbeat then shot straight up! Starfire informed Stalker that the ground crew had, essentially, dropped their jaws at the show of raw engine power. Stalker did a roll as they climbed then pulled back again and flew back over the runaway, upside-down. At the mid-point, Stalker made Starfire turn to port and climb for space. Now it was time to put everything to the test. He commed Shaya when he reached ten thousand feet and placed Starfire into a more normal attitude of ascent. The stunt wasn't anything spectacular and Stalker was sure that any pilot's watching weren't impressed. But the maneuvers did put a lot of stress on the engines quickly and that was the point.

"I'd say the engines passed the test. Have fun, yourself!" Stalker commed.

Soon, they were in space. Stalker placed Starfire "upside-down" relative to Rhydin and looked "up" at Rhydin. "You know, I don't think I'll ever get tired of that sight. I wish I could show that to everyone. If anyone were to ask me, that is why I fly. For the views."

Starfire made a noise. "That maybe one reason, but you just love flying, period."

Stalker laughed. Starfire had him there. He did love to fly. "Ok, let's test the weapons before we head to the nebula."

Starfire moaned. "The asteroids already? Come on, can't a fighter get a break?"

Stalker shook his head, the grin still in place. "What are you whining about? You've been on the ground for a week."

They flew to the asteroids and began doing an intense sensor scan of them. Starfire detected 4 fighters, of various manufacture, working their way toward them. Stalker wasn't concerned with them, though he suspected pirates looking for easy prey. He maneuvered Starfire so they were heading parallel to the asteroid field instead of into it. He marveled at the sensor upgrades Shaya had done. The information they were getting back on the fighters was very detailed, among other information. About 10 minutes later, the pirates were in the rear quadrant and comming them.

"What do we have here? That's a mighty nicely restored relic you have there." This guy, Stalker designated as Pirate #1.

"Who fly?s old SF-14's these days? I thought all of them went to scrap!" This one, Stalker designated as Pirate #2.

"SF-14's aren't a match for anything around here." Stalker simply flew. He designated this guy Sucker #3.

"Tell you what. You follow us into our...depot and I'll take it off of your hands. Though, I should probably charge you." This guy, Stalker decided, would be the first to be used as a test. Stalker designated him Dummy #1, after the Crash Test Dummies.

"Gentleman, please. I just restored this fine spacecraft. I don't even have anything of value on me." It took everything Stalker had to keep the amusement out of his voice. He muted his mic. "Starfire, the second they bring up their weapons, I want the 'Grid up." Stalker received a "ding" in acknowledgement.

Dummy #1 laughed! "Well, then, I suggest you do as we ask or there will be far worse than scratches on it."

"I would advise against trying to forcefully make me comply. You may regret it." Stalker fully expected them to not heed his advice. He wasn't disappointed.

"You have a most a single cannon and those missiles look and scan as standard. You don't stand a chance!" Sucker #3 had fallen completely for the electronic camouflage Starfire had been programmed with a long time ago to trick sensors of any craft into seeing only a stock SF-14.

"Just go to 83.5 Mark 229. Cooperate and we won't even throw you out the airlock." Pirate #1 simply requested and brought his weapons online and fired a warning shot at Starfire.

Stalker sighed and pointed Starfire in the opposite direction, making it clear he wasn't going to comply. Three more, very close, warning shots were fired and a warning from Dummy #1 was commed. Stalker looked at Starfire, "Ready?" Starfire did what an ordinary, old SF-14 would do before attempting to flee, he swung his wings back.

The pirate all fired, but their timing was off. Starfire brought the defensive 'Grid up and the first shot from Sucker #3 hit it. There was zero power drain. Stalker nodded satisfied and then maneuvered to avoid the rest of the shots coming at him, causing them all to miss. He dove Starfire into the asteroids.

The pirates recovered quickly from their shock and gave chase. Stalker went around asteroids and lost the pirates a few times and flew, mockingly past them a few times. Each time they would comm and the frustration in their voices was evident. They started doing everything they could to bring Stalker and Starfire to an untimely demise. As Stalker told Shaya a while back. He was good with a blaster. He was better in a fighter. The pirates finally landed a few shots and the 'Grid, thanks to Shaya's modifications only dropped by 2 percent.

"Ok, fun time over" Stalker stated. He flipped Starfire over and rolled, point directly at them, and he fired the newly upgraded main guns. Dummy #1 never knew what hit him, his craft blew apart. Then Stalker came around on Sucker #3. Stalker used a missile for him. Sucker #3 managed to out maneuver the missile but he flew straight into Starfire's new gun fire.

Pirates #1 and 2 managed to get in behind Starfire and were in a perfect position to blast them out existence, if it would have been anyone else. Stalker dove between to asteroids and came out of the other side just before they collided. The pirates broke to either side, avoiding the flying fragments. Stalker settled Starfire in a little alcove in another asteroid when Pirate #2 flew past. Stalker have Starfire full throttle and they were on Pirate #2's tail in no time.

"It's like we're fighting a ghost!" Pirate #2 commed to his buddy.

"No, just former military" Stalker stated and fired with the secondary guns, taking out Pirate #2's engines, causing him to drift and depend on maneuvering thrusters to keep himself from becoming pulverized by asteroids.

Stalker and Starfire were going head to head with Pirate #1 a couple minutes later. Stalker brought all four guns to bear. Pirate #1 fired, but Stalker simply rolled, causing the shots to go "above" and "below" Starfire. Then Stalker fired all guns and put Starfire into a few complete rolls. Pirate #1's fighter came apart as if it was hit with a Space Pheniox Mark 10 missile. With that, they flew back to Pirate #2.

"You, you can't just leave me like this", Pirate #2 stammered! "You're military!"

"Actually, former military and, yes, I could. But I won't." Starfire placed a tow beam on Pirate #2 and they towed him out of the asteroids...backwards. A clear insult. "Here's the deal. I don't want to see you back in this sector playing pirate again. If I do..." Stalker fired two shots, taking off Pirate #2's wings, "I don't leave the fuselage intact. Do we understand each other?"

"Yyyyyes, ssssir", stammered Pirate #2.

"S.E.S. and R. should be arriving in about 10 minutes. You have about 20 of air left. I suggest you consider a career change...permanently." With that, Stalker turned Starfire around and they headed back into the asteroids. Stalker was going to use them as a short cut, of sorts, to the nebula he saw last night.

Stalker flew through the asteroids like a fish swims in the sea. To him, it was a good way to work out any tension he had. It also made him feel alive and free. He was sure it was the best way to clear his head. He flew Starfire through the asteroids for about an hour and a half and fired the upgraded and added weapons in various configurations. After the altercation with the pirates, he was looking at about 2 hours of flight time. He could tell Shaya that everything tested out perfectly. Next was the nebula, which, according to Starfire, was about 2 ? hours away.

When Stalker cleared the asteroid field, Starfire spoke. ?Finally! I thought you were going to spend all day in there. You did tell Shaya you would be back by the end of the day.?

Stalker chuckled. ?Well, first, I didn?t really say when I?d be back, but you?re right, we shouldn't be gone too long. So, to the nebula, fly around for a bit and back, 5 ? hours tops. All together 9 hours. Besides, she did say to have fun and to test everything!?

Starfire gave an electronic sigh and Stalker laughed. He felt great! It was probably the best he?d felt in awhile. Getting rid of ?The Weasel? and working out his demons, thanks in part to ?The Weasel? and his attempt at killing Stalker, seemed to be all that was needed to get his head screwed back on straight. The scars on his left arm had faded greatly but were still there, not nearly as deep.

?Starfire, let?s see just how fast and for how long these engines can go.? Stalker didn?t wait for Starfire to reply; he slammed the throttles to the overload stops and headed for the nebula. They reached the nebula in 2 hours.

There wasn?t anything special about it and, as Stalker expected, there wouldn?t be anything special about it. It was simply a destination and an excuse to fly. They flew up the ?channel?, which was just an area that the colors didn?t touch each other and there were some interesting stars in the area but only stuff that a scientist would probably enjoy. Not a simple fighter pilot.

Stalker turned Starfire back toward RhyDin and took a more, leisurely pace back. Stalker had commed Stars End Spaceport to obtain clearance. It was late at night and the sky appeared to be clear over RhyDin City and the surrounding area. Stars? End had Stalker enter a holding pattern while some traffic cleared. Because he was a Retired Commander, he was usually given the first spot to land when in a holding pattern. This time was no different.

They were just starting their decent when Starfire spoke up. ?Stalker, something isn?t right. Shaya and Adrin?s base appears to have been leveled! I?m detecting a lot of damage and debris. It appears to be hours old. I?m not detecting any life signs, but the survivors could have been cleared out. You don?t think that Shaya??

?What do you think!?? Stalker immediately started Starfire down at a fast angle of attack. From the ground, it would have looked like a shooting star streaking across the sky to most people. ?As soon as we clear the top of the atmosphere, locate the comlink we gave her.? Stalker was furious. Who would attack them now? This was the second attack and he had no clues as to who it was. Why hadn?t Shaya called him? He and Starfire would have been there as fast as possible. Even from orbit, they could have done something! Adrin was probably beside himself with anger. ?Starfire, give me something!?

?It appears that Adrin?s ship is destroyed, as is the hanger. Looks like ballistic weapons, so it was low-tech. I can?t get a complete lock on Shaya?s comlink but it appears to be a safe distance away?cross-referencing RhyDin maps?.Twilight Island! I can?t seem to make a connection, though. Some type of interference.? Starfire said.

Stalker had Starfire do another pass over the base and get as much information as he could then headed toward Twilight Island. Stalker couldn?t land Starfire there without upsetting air control but he would simple have Starfire drop him off. 10 minutes later, they were approaching Twilight Island. Stalker was pretty sure Shaya and Adrin were alright since the comlink was traced to there. It was Shaya?s workshop, after all. But he had to see them.

Starfire hovered about 4 feet above the ground by the beach. Shaya would heard the familiar whistle of Starfire?s engines at a distance, so she probably wouldn?t have been surprised. Stalker jumped out of the cockpit, opened the cargo bay and took his sword out and closed it back up. He started to jog up the beach toward Shaya?s workshop as Starfire flew on to Stars End Spaceport. He spotted Shaya and went up to her. He was still walking when he spoke, relief evident in his voice and eyes. ?Are you alright? Why didn?t you call? Starfire and I would have been back in no time.?

Stalker held Shaya and listened as she spoke. He was furious. He was furious that someone would do this to people that never did any harm to anyone. Furious that members of Adrin?s crew had turned on them. Furious that he wasn?t here and that he went for a joy ride.

?I?m sorry, Shaya. I?m so, so sorry!? Stalker said. It didn?t feel like enough. Not even close but at that moment, it was the most he could offer. When Shaya moved to rock and then put her head down after speaking, Stalker?s heart broke and his anger welled up even more. He clinched his right hand into a fist as hard as he could. He also wiped away a couple of tears as well. ?Maybe I shouldn?t have gone off on a joy ride? he muttered.

After one very deep breath, he unclenched his fist and felt more in control of his anger. He was pretty sure his eyes weren?t blood shot at the moment. He walked over to Shaya and knelt down near her. He placed a gentle hand on her back and pulled her to him, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. He dropped his sword on the ground next to him.

?It?s been a little while since I?ve been in the cave, but from what I remember, it was pretty comfy in there, away from the workshop area. The crew might start thinking you took them to a posh hotel and not want to leave.? He looked down to see if he got a smirk, at the very least. He hugged Shaya as tightly as he dared. He didn?t want to risk hurting the baby. ?We?ll get them, Shaya. I promise, we?ll get them. Starfire and I are going back and finding everything thing we can at first light. We?ll figure out who it is and where they are at. You have my word.? Stalker knew that wouldn?t stop who was behind this. He had every intention of going after the head of this snake and taking it off. ?Don?t worry about the medical supplies, either. I still have a few contacts and can have additional supplies, including food, here mid-day tomorrow.? Shaya looked up at him, questioningly. Stalker merely smiled. ?Retired Commander in the Earth Space Navy, remember? I still have friends in the right places.? He smiled hoping his blue eyes didn't betray the emotions he was keeping buried. Shaya put her head back down against him.

After a couple of minutes, Stalker turned Shaya?s face so he could look her in the eyes. His heart broke all over again and his temper flared. Oh yes, he was going to find these people. When he spoke, it was soft and gentle. ?I know the ship is gone but that?s not important. Adrin is alive?? as Stalker said it, he realized he didn?t know how bad Adrin was and hoped he was just knocked out?? the baby is safe...? he gently placed his hand on Shaya?s belly, ?and you are alive and well, too. Someone once told me, when I was a kid, that ?home is where your heart is?, Shaya. Not a house or a ship. Sure, there are a lot of memories lost but the objects can be replaced. You, Adrin and the baby can?t be.?

Stalker, we did not know this was going to happen, if we did, we would have asked you to stay, but no, you should have both of you should have, you needed it* smiling at him slighty*

*listening to him smirks at the comment about to hotel*they pretty comfy, some want to leave but a majority want to stay, Im glad they do, Adrin and I would be lost without them and you two around

*hugging him listening smiles before breaking down into tears*thank you, you are truly a god friend stalker

*smiles*then I have friends and family who I can make new ones with aswell as remember the old memories

*looking at him wiping her eyes*so how was the flight?, did the adjustments and upgrades work? how was the Alloy? not dents or dings on Starfire are there?

*blinks*did you say Pirates?

*thinking*four of our fighters were missing

*snarls punching a rock smashing it her knuckles not ever scratched*those......they were our fighters Stalker, it must have been

*looking at him*trust me, I filled his hollw points with it*sighing holding her side*

*sighs*no, the fighters were designed to trial the alloy months ago, the same alloy I put into starfire, though they weren't successful in the trials

*laying down looking up at the sky relaxing chuckling*I wouldn't worry about them Stalker, Starfire proved that he can better any other ship out there

*looking at him*Im glad you two are alright*sighing looking at the stars then looking at the cave*Im glad Adrin is alright, I.....I need to know what they wanted?, why they attacked?

*looking down at the bump*Stalker, don't tell Adrin I asked you this Stalker*looking at him*IF anything happens to me or Adrin, or both of us together, I want you and Starfire to look after Thenian, Id ask Lily but she has her own problems at the moment, Please?

*laughs at his reaction*I know I said if Stalker, I asked you, because, I love you like a brother, and, aside from Lily, your the only other one I trust to raise him*looking at the water*you know me and Adrin, enough to tell him about us if something bad were to happen.

*listening to him smiles standing*I hope so Stalker, but I have a feeling that I do not like that this is the start of something bigger

*chewing her lip*something really bad, involving the baby

*sighs*probably just me being silly, my mind is all over the place, trying to make sure Adrins alright, the crew is alright, you and Starfire are safe, and that Im healthy, I was created for this Stalker
*sighs*I was created to ensure, things were done

*smiling at him*theres a room here for you and private hanger for Starfire, if you both want it

Id feel safer with you two and Adrin around right now*looking at him* but, your call guys

*moving to the Cave*you want some food?

*laughing*Im not spoiling you, Im being nice, like I alway am, unless you want me to be mean as a panther in a cage?

*looking at him her own troublemaker smile in place*it'd be easy to do

*kneeling by the hearth stirring a pot all her wepons of all shapes and sizes and all diffrent alloys on the wall a few pictures including the wedding gift from stalker*I should get one of all of us when the baby is born?

*watching the fire then looking at Stalker smiling*

*looks at him smiling carrying a plate of stew to him* here eat up, Im going to take some up to Adrin

*ladeling a bowl of stew taking it to him heading back taking a seat in the rocking chair by the hearth tiredness showing through Smoke padding in laying by the hearth purring*

Welcome to the family Stalker, we may be misfits but, we are family

*nods tears in her eyes*thanks Stalker, you and Starfire really came through for us, thats best news I could have today.

*looking at the door to the bedroom Adrin was in*I think I will try to sleep, but, first, I have to set up the security systems*stands slowly sighs watching him the Smoke*

*the panther gave a low roar*thats a yes Stalker, though, your lucky you met the Panthers, they are patroling the woodlands and the droids are active tossing him a chip*put that in your com, it'll give you safe passage through the droids and into the cave

*covering a yawn leaning against the computers*I owe you stalker, big time

*hugging him kissing his cheek*give starfire a pat for me huh* wmiles walking to the room her head lowered*

*blinks watching everything thats happening moving to a rock crouching Smoke joining her and nuzzling her* I know, its amazing

*moving into the cave doing what she needed to do cooked food for everyone then worked on some components walking out watching Stalker her jaw dropping staring at him blinking a few times before passing out*

*groans gently opening her eyes blinking looking at him*hey, what happened?

*sitting up looking around* damn, I passed out huh?
*rubbin her face*I think your friends still like you

*laughs at him watching as the Chef and the cooks bolted from behind them dropping to thier knee* somehow I think they are happy to see the food Stalker

*chuckling* and I think we can put the generators and things in my work area
*looking behind them nodding*they should fit

*looking at Stalker smiles moving to the hearth putting him a mug of coffee out*don;t you miss commanding though?

*smiles*you have spent to much time with us Stalker, I hope you find someone

*looks into her mug sighing*I had hoped for you to meet my friend lily, but she, is haveing problems of her own relatioship wise

*looking at him*well, I think you should give the admiralty your input, your still well respected, give them your opinions and make them better at what they do and how they fight

*nudges him back*your like family, don't tell Adrin, but, before he and I got married, I often wondered how things would have turned out, if we met before Adrin and I got together *watchign his reaction laughing*Im kidding

*nods*her husband is a Navy SEAL Admiral, but he still goes off on missions for god knows how long and leaves her, she has twin boys and is a commander of her own squad.

*smiles*yeah, I can't see you as an admiral personally

*nods sipping her coffee*poor lil, she's a sweet person, has a Firey temper, in more ways than one*biting her lip*Pilots, she'd date, she's not exactly lacking in the flight department

*smirking*I rememeber when I first mer her she was not exactly herself she gave me a big wepons order for an army

*looking at the large sword on the wall*I made those*moving taking it from the wall twirling it*is draconian blood metal*passing it to him byt he hilt*

its what my alloy is based on, it's light and durable

*smiling then hanging the sword up walking through the halls rubbing her back* Oh, just I keep getting twinges, Doc said they were false contractions but am fine

*looking at him laughing*Im not in labour and if I was I wouldn't be this form anyway, Id be in panther form

*looking over the map*I have no clue what to do Stalker, my brain is switching off, and this pain is getting to me

*taking a seat*sorry Stalker, I can't do this right now

*groans wincing letting out a roar*this is hurting me more Stalker

*lying on the bed the doc runs a few checks*well the baby is ready to be delivered, and he's not happy, I suggest bed rest lady Shaya

*nods*alright, I'll get bed rest Doc*stands moving towards her room climbing into bed with a sigh*

*in Adrin and Shayas Room a baby cries as does Shaya*Smoke, get the clan help Stalker*watching as Smoke runs off to fetch and inform the clan un wawares Stalker has back up in a familiar form*

*Shalomar an exact replica of Shaya stands in the shadows smirks walking forward*Im very disappointed in this crew, my sister and Adrin have done everything for you*her red eyes scanning over them* I trust Stalkers judgment, you guys don't your problem, Im following him, till Shaya and Adrin have become parents.

*standing next to Stalker wincing*nice hit *winks chuckling*You don;t know? do you?

*smiling at him Smoke and three other panthers appearing at thier sides*

*smiles*trust me Adrin will be to busy with Shaya and his second was one of the betrayers, so he won;t mind

*looking at him*your an uncle, Shaya had the baby

*looking around giving a few orders about the generators*and Im here as back up, for now

*smiles*right now if you want to, Adrin and the others are going out to celebrate, Shays orders, so she and baby Thenian can rest, after they see you

*laughs*uncle Stalker, has a better one to it

*nods*yeah, follow me*leading him to her quarters*Shay knows how my room should be, and bug free is it*hand on her gun*Computer full bug sweep authorisation Shalsixtythirtynine

*a computerised voic replies*Search in progress*beeping ensues*Area secure

*looking at him*now we can talk, Stalker, whats up?
I also have some information that is pretty illuminating

*her lips parting slightly*Shay made a good choice in picking you as Thenians godfather and uncle, Shame there wasn't anymore single guys like you out there, Id date hi, gladly *bowing her head to him with respect* Shay did tell you I was a, well, a pretty good spy once.

*looking at him tossing him an envelope*Im the insider, Im in the Illuminati, they are after who they call the Mystical one, a moon god, called Monnji, they believe my nephew is him

*laying down on her bed looking at the ceiling her eyes closed*I got out, before, they realised who I was, I kinda left them a.............*smirking*Gift Shalomar Blacks style

Definatly, I want to see if he looks more like Shay, or Adrin*chuckles moving beside him heading out the door*

*nods as he says this walking with him smirking evily as he asks about her "gift"* lets just say, it'll go with a bang and a crash

*winking at him*Shocker hated that place, she's glad to be home though, won't get off my back, worse than when red and I had a fight

*sighs her head dipped then stretching*Shay got lucky with Adrin, I wasn't so lucky I guess

*reaching Shayas door knocking and walking into the room over to Shaya as she sits holding the baby*hey you two

*smiling kissing her sisters forehead*oh my, look at that hair*the babies hair was streaked black and white* a perfect mix

*Shaya smiles tiredly*Im holding up alright, just tired*covering a yawn putting Thenian into his basket*Im sorry guys, I just need a nap, Adrin and the crew have gone out for a celebratory drink*sighs as she drifts off to sleep*

*Shalomar stands signaling to Stalker heading to the door*

*shrugs*I never said a thing Stalker

*following him along the hallways chewing her lip, nodding*I'll try, do you think Starfire could tune into the radio frquency of the main computer here, we can be you eyes and ears on the ground?