Thread: In Time, All Things Are Possible (Rave & darkangel76)

What happened next took Laela off guard completely. With eyes as wide as saucers, she watched the one manthe one that drew her attentionget off whatever it was he was riding. When he stood up, his height causing her to gasp in awe, she suddenly found herself swallowing hard as she took in the sight of his other odd features. Features that had been somewhat hidden while he'd been sitting down moments prior. He seemed angry, upset, ready to unleash his wrath upon anyone or anything that crossed him, yet... She was Illuminati! She was Laelestra Quentin! And, she was in need. As the strange-looking man approached, Laela felt her insides flutter. Was it nervousness or fear? She didn't know, but that look of malice in his eyes... for a brief moment she felt a wave of heat wash over her and her body shuddered while her eyes blinked rapidly. But before she could make any sense of anything, she was tossed aside and being bound tightly with rope. The rope burned as it was wound without care about her wrists and ankles. No thought or consideration was given to her delicate nature, her feelings, her situation, her status. Nothing. No one cared. Not a soul. And Hal? Where was he... where...? She wondered if he'd begun to notice or worry. Had she been missing long enough yet? It had felt like an eternity, but then again time had a way of playing tricks on the mind in dire situations such as this. Suddenly, Laela felt her body being picked up and carried toward the strange-looking man. Just what was his name? Why she cared to know, she had no idea, but for some reason... she found herself wondering nonetheless, wanting to know. Before she knew it, her body was bumping about on the back of his strange vehicle, speeding along the horrid terrain of Charon and toward the ship in which they'd all come. As they approached, she began to make out its markings. Pirates... and immediately her heart began to sink. It wasn't long upon arrival at the pirate ship that Laela felt hands grabbing at her tiny body and dragging her on board. Their laughter echoed in her ears and it only served to frighten her all the more. How she wished she'd remained on Helios. If only she'd listened to her parents! Perhaps it wasnt the most desired fate to end up married off to some unknown man chosen by her parents, but at least she'd have been taken care of, given everything she wanted and needed. Her life wouldn't be filled with... this. Immediately, Laela could feel her eyes pricking with tears and before she could stop them they began to fall. At that, she could hear more laughter, mocking. Yes, mocking her in all their glory. How glorious to see someone like her crying, cowering, unable to move or do anything at all. I demand release, Laela stated through her tears. Do you not know who I am? You will be rewarded for my return, but you will get nothing if I am harmed... her voice trailed as she tried to reason with the men holding her hostage, but it only served to make them laugh all the harder. We'll be making the demands, princess, one of the pirates exclaimed, his tone quite seriously as he looked Laela squarely in the eye. Y'see, this be our 'palace', not yours. So the only ones making orders or doing any taking is us. You, little lovely... he walked up to her and stroked her cheek. You just do as told. Laela whimpered, fresh tears falling as she looked at the pirate looming over her bound body. Her heart raced as all the rumors she'd heard of the Barbaric Rim suddenly became a reality before her very eyes. Meanwhile in the Illuminati Stronghold on Charon, Halmir Quinn began to pace back and forth in his chambers. An hour had passed before his people had taken it upon themselves to inform him that they'd lost contact with his cousin's ship. And now another hour had passed before he was finally feeling a twitch that perhaps something might have gone wrong. Contact had yet to be re-established and he was beginning to wonder if it ever would. Letting out a heavy sigh, Hal could see all of his plans unraveling before his eyes. Plans that were too perfect to not take advantage of. If something went wrong, he'd be stuck on Charon for who knew how long. Unacceptable! Pacing a bit more, Hal's golden eyes focused on his comm.-watch. Pressing a few buttons, he spoke into the device. Any more news on my cousin? Her family? Their ship? he asked. No sir, came a voice through the device. Nothing.