Thread: Outlaw Rising (Frelance & darkangel76)

STARSHIP GYPSY DANCER, CIVILIAN CLASS, ILLUMINATI ROYAL VESSEL Orbiting Planet Themis. Reisa felt all of her muscles twitch, tensing as if ready for a fight, for...something. She watched Viktorher rescuermove with fluid grace as he swung over the rail and identified one of their crew's worst rivals. She recognized the name as he all but spat it out. It was one she'd heard her parents mention time and again before they'd been separated, before they'd been murdered. Her teeth ground together as her thoughts flitted back to a time when she'd been strapped down, immobilized, while faces loomed over her with malicious smiles. Their syrupy voices filled her ears as they did horrible things to her brain. Her blue eyes fluttered shut and her breaths began to quicken. Such memories, fresh and raw. She could hear the lasers as they sliced, the words of praise as the Elite patted themselves on their shoulders for a job well done. One voice had stood above them all...that one...that vile bitch who oversaw everything. Reisa opened her eyes, an Illuminati girlroyaltystanding before her. She looked timid, scared as she glanced her way. Her small body was trembling as the Captain barked orders and his crew busied themselves with their duties. Viktor's twin just gave a nod and took the man away, the one who's name she recognized, the one who not only was high on this group's list, but her own. She knew he had a part in her family's capture, of delivering her to Dr. Sophie Bracken. Laela just watched, terrified at everything she saw. She didn't understand, wasn't sure that she wanted to. If only she could hide, go somewhere safe, alone. Just somewhere no one would find her! That alone would be enough. As it was, she no longer knew whom she could trust. People with Illuminati insignias on their clothing were exchanging them for something else. Those with faces she'd recognized, some familiar, were turning out to be faces she realized she didn't know at all. Faces belonging to people with a different agenda, leading different lives than what she'd thought or dared to dream. She was confused and couldn't take any more of this being in the dark. Then again, she was beginning to wonder just how much of her life, even back on planet Helios, had been in the dark. Swallowing hard and holding back tears, she watched one of the twinsone of the Captain's sonsleave while the other took his place by his father's side. The blonde girl who'd walked in with him seemed to move closer to his side or maybe it was her own desire to move farther away. Across the way, Ava stood there donning her new attire and hoping to start a life of purpose. For years she'd been waiting for a sign, some sort of signal letting her know that the time was finally right for her to make that move, take that risky plunge. Fear had coursed through her veins in the moments it had happened, doubt filling her heart and mind. But the moment she saw that Elite drop to the floor at Reisa's feet, the hood hiding her eyes as she was about to be executed by the hand of the vicious Dr. Bracken, she knew. She knew what had to be done and she'd comply with anyone brave enough to stand up to those who'd hurt her family for so very long. Ava nodded as the Captain's son mentioned that she'd uploaded the virus. Yes, she had. It had been a frightening moment, but a liberating one too. Everyone on Helios and Themis, on all of the planets in the system got to see what occurred in that moment as the rebels rescued Reisa Amis and took control of Gypsy Dancer. Now they had one of the Illuminati's own. Princess Laelestra was indeed precious commodity to be bartered. But the girl's family would never give up their power for her. Her use would only take them so far. She wondered if the girl actually knew that. Probably not. But the rebels more than likely did. I did, Ava answered as she looked directly at the Captain. I was the communications officer aboard Gypsy Dancer for the past three years. Her blue eyes suddenly weren't able to hold the man's gaze. Suddenly, a pang of guilt took hold and she found it easier to stare at the floor. It was expected. I...I... She stammered slightly, a wave of nervousness coming over her. It was expected I serve. She frowned and looked back into the Captain's eyes again. But I knew it wouldn't be forever, she added, a small smile playing on her lips. STARSHIP DOUBLE HELIX, CIVILIAN CLASS, ILLUMINATI SCIENTIFIC SHUTTLE Destination, Planet Charon. Transmission received, one of the guards stated causing Sophie to smile. Her face lit up and she immediately readied herself as the ship fast approached Charon's atmosphere. It wouldn't be long before they'd land. As the coordinates were set and the shields readied, Sophie did a quick check of the scans to make sure that her little jaunt to the Outer Rim would stay, for the most part, unnoticed. She was already taking a risk by leaving a hostile hijacking as she did. The chances that a rebel would pursue her were fairly high and she knew it. But luck had somehow been on her side until... The ship jolted, Sophie letting out a small yelp as she nearly toppled over one of the chairs. Her expression was furious. What was that? she shrieked, a hand tugging on a dark curl. We were fired upon, doctor, one of the guards said. Well, fire back! Sophie commanded. We're not that kind of ship, m'am. This is a scientific vessel. We only have... Sophie fumed, raising up a hand to cut the man off. Shut up! Just do something! The guard leaned over his panel and smiled. We don't have to. Looks like your man has us covered, he stated. Sophie's heart swelled as it hammered hard in chest, adrenaline pumping through her veins. Of course he did. He always did. It was why she loved him, would do anything for him. It was why she'd die for him. PLANET CHARON surface, outskirts of rebel base camp There was static coming through the comm device attached to Aeryn's hip. Shit, she hissed as she grabbed it and began pushing buttons and turning dials trying to tweak the signal that was trying to come through. She was out on a scavenging run, trying to find supplies from a wreck that had occurred not too long ago. A bit of a tiff had broken out between Illuminati Guards and the pirates that liked to run the place and, in the end, a whole lot of ruined metal was what now scarred a good several yards of one of the nearby ravines. But the hisses and bleeps on her comm were going to give away her position if they didn't shut up. Scowling, Aeryn tried to silence her comm. But it wasn't going to happen. In the distance, she saw some of the Illuminati stationed near the wreck and she groaned. This just wasn't her day. Slowly, she backed away knowing she'd have to take her chances on scavenging once she dealt with her comm. After finding a nice outcrop of rock to hide behind, she looked at the device and shook it. So, why are you so angry, hm? Aeryn asked the gadget knowing full well the thing wouldn't answer in return. She heaved a heavy sigh and slid down into a low crouch until she was finally sitting on the dusty ground all together. She pulled her auburn hair back into a sloppy knot and began adjusting the knobs until the signal began to clear. Aeryn listened, taking in the sound of the call. Her green eyes widened as recognition took hold. She knew the code. It frightened some that she was able to pick out patterns like she did, but it was one of the reasons why she was allowed out alone. Staring at her comm, her lips parted and she gasped. Someone's in trouble. Aeryn looked up into the sky, the horizon tinted slightly red due to the dirt and dust. Without hesitation, she began flicking a dial back on her own comm device, warning of the wreck, to steer clear and head for specific coordinates. Sucking in a sharp breath, she knew her mission would have to wait. Bigger things were at hand. Without giving it another thought, she began racing back to camp.