New Beginnings

by: Tyrika

Last Updated: February 15, 1999

Part I

Prologue

Yazashi watched the procession of people as her father was laid to the ground. The scene was very beautiful with all of the colors represented by the tribes of her people. But she saw none of this, the truth was, her father was dead, and she was alone; the actuality of it just beginning to sink in. He had been the only one who accepted her, the only one who understood. Not even her own mother accepted her.  She didn't even know her real mother. Why did she have to be so different? the few friends she did have had become scarce when they discovered one of her gifts. Actually, they'd run away from her. they actually ran! She looked up at the moon, and closed her eyes as a silent tear moistened her cheek.

Yaz stood in the middle of an ocean of grass listening to the wind and her soul.  this place was in fact called, the Sea of Dreams. The grass was six feet high and the color of a storming sea. When the wind blew, it looked like waves of water, the tops of the blades had tiny holes in them so they made a sweet sound whenever the air passed by. Many had visions in the sea, and thus its name.  She listened for what seemed like an eternity. Then, without warning, everything around her hushed.  The wind stopped blowing, all life stopped, as Chief Baraka Ijaz' body, her father's body, was laid to the ground.  She tried desperately to hold back the tears and agony she felt, but it was mare than she could bare. Suddenly, the world around her gave out a majestic cry, like it had known the passing of this great man, and gave tribute at his passing. She could no longer hold the rush of sorrow she felt in herself and every thought, every emotion, every word said around her. The strong feelings of sadness and grief for the loss of her people's greatest leader, and hatred at the one responsible for his death.

No! Not again! She thought. She could hear everything, see everything. She could see the past, the present, and the future around her all at once.  She  fell to the ground in pain, her head swarming with thoughts that were not her own.

Then, as quickly as the feeling had come, it was gone again. Only one voice remained, and it called out to her, Come Home. it said Come home we are waiting. She concentrated on the voice and a woman's face appeared before her in her mind's eye. She was beautiful, and had an air of a mystic about her.  Her eyes were the same color change eyes with cat-like pupils as her own. Was this woman related to her? That moment she realized what she had to do. She had to find this woman who spoke to her. The first place she would look would be the Citadel of A'sua.  Looking up at the sky once more, she allowed the essence to surround her, and comfort her.  The wind calmed her fears, and the animal songs soothed her heart. She could feel the Essence rise within her, and when she thought she could hold on to ti no more, she released it.  the horizon was suddenly filled with every color to the rainbow.  the wind picked up and the banners and scarfs from all of the tribes of the Zidai'ya flew into the air with an explosion of color tethered only by spears, quarter staffs, siths, and swords of all the warriors; while their robes struggled to be released in the wind. Yes, this was the right decision. She would find a new place to duel, even though in her heart she would always call this home no matter where she ended up.

As one, the Zidai'ya Nation sang out in perfect harmony, with the animals, and the wind. The last tribute to Chief Baraka Ijaz, father of Yazashi Ijaz-TyMyika, sank beneath the waves of grass, his body becoming one with the Sea of Dreams.
 
 

[two hundred years later. . .]

"Yazashi! Yazashi, can you hear me?" someone near her shouted. The voice had been calling her for a long time and she wished it would go away. She felt so tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep, but that voice was so damned persistent. She struggled to open her eyes, but they were gummed tight with blood, and couldn't feel anything but a terrible pain in her head. The anguish grew worse, her body and mind could take no more. She screamed in sheer agony as her whole body convulsed spasmodically increasing her pain ten fold. She was beyond her threshold of pain and wanted with all her heart to be released from it, but that accursed voice!

"Yazashi! You have to listen to me. Yazashi listen to my words: relax, take a deep breath, let the rhythm of my voice be your guiding light, you feel peace, you feel strength. Feel the strength of my voice, my touch. Come back to me. Yazashi . . . Zealot! You didn't get that name for nothing. LIVE!!!" And under his breath the voice said to her, "I love you." A silent tear fell from his face to hers.

As the tear fell on her cheek, Yaz felt his strength flow into her. She tried to refuse it, didn't want to go on; but this man . . . Emeka? Was this someone she cared for? She couldn't think anymore. All she could do was let his mental and physical arms hold her and gently rock her, as she was pulled back from that terrible darkness.

An unseen hand wiped the blood from her eyes, calming her fears. Yaz opened her eyes and looked into the face whose voice and strength had called her back from death. It was the face of an angel. The pain in her head screamed and she had to shut her eyes from the pain. When she opened her eyes again with a pleading look to stop the pain, he smiled at her and it seemed he understood. He gently pulled her close and she could feel his strength flow into her. The pain went away and she drifted into blessed but sad dreams.

On the outskirts of a forest, on a rocky plane  near an ancient Citadel, A tall old gaunt man with pale skin and dark brown eyes, held a med scanner over an unconscious girl, who looked no older than 16 Terran years. Another man, that looked a few years older than the girl held her in his arms with her head laying comfortably against his chest. "Sir, heart rate and blood pressure have stabilized. I think we should try to remove the bullet worm." Stated the gaunt man with the med scanner over her. Emeka just stared at the Lieutenant with deep purple eyes, trying to figure out if the man was serious or not. The lieutenant shifted uncomfortably under his piercing gaze.

After a few moments Emeka responded in a calm and even voice. "Lieutenant Denzon, are you a doctor? Do you even understand her physiology well enough to operate on her? She has internal bleeding. How do you know we won't make her condition even worse?" The lieutenant merely lowered his head, unable to respond. " I thought not. The best we can do for her now is to keep her motionless and comfortable. The bullet entered her leg. We still have time before it reaches her heart. Let's just wait for the rescue team."

The lieutenant turned around. "Yes, but what about her other injuries. She has some serious concussions. I don't think it was wise of you to let her sleep." The lieutenant said challengingly. This guy isn't a doctor either, what did he know?    Emeka seemed to hear Denzon's unspoken words, and looked angrily at the lieutenant then responded. "She was near death, I brought her back." Not really paying attention to him.

Denzon couldn't believe Emeka, the guy was weird, he looked weird. And ever since he met this Yazashi girl, he got even worse. Far be it from him to deny two people in love, but when the two of them were together it seemed like they ignored everybody around them, truthfully. He was disgusted. "I don't get it, they attacked and then don't finish us?" he voiced out loud.

"What's that? Did you say something? All I can think about is this girl." Emeka snapped at him with heavy sarcasm and stared the poor lieutenant down with his big cat-like purple eyes. After a few seconds, he shook his head slightly as if he were shrugging off a thought then decided to answer the man's question. "They already got what they came for." Then he looked down at his love.

Just then, both men turned to the sound of a broken twig. "Do not be alarmed. I am unarmed." The shadow said as it walked into the light. "She will live." It wasn't a question, but a reassurance to himself. "Can I speak with her?" The man asked. His voice filled with sorrow.

Emeka had the feeling that this man and her had been lovers. He was suddenly very jealous. "Why? So you can finish the job? What was she so guilty of that she would have to endure pain such as this?" he was furious.

"She murdered someone." Was all the mysterious man could say.

"She murdered someone, She murdered someone?" Emeka was really upset. The nerve of this guy! "Excuse me, but the last time I checked you people didn't punish your own for that."

"We condone killing, not murder."

"What's the difference?"

"Killing is an act of defense, a battle of honor. Murder has no honor; it is purely offensive and cold-blooded. The punishment for murder among my people is immediate death. She was . . ." the man paused, looking for the right word to say. "pardoned."

"You call beating her almost to her death, then shooting her with a bullet that works its way slowly to the heart, 'pardoned'?" Emeka said fervently, his eyes glowing with purple fire.

Others would have looked away from him, but this man held the other's gaze. "We didn't shoot her. I don't know who shot her. I appreciate all that you've done for her." After a moment, the man looked down at Yaz. Almost immediately she began to stir and then opened her eyes. It seemed like he was telling her something for she nodded, then drifted back into a healing sleep. "I know I have no right to ask, but can you do me a favor?"

"You're right, you don't. Now get the hell away from us before I shoot you." With that, Emeka raised his arm. On his wrist, was a band with small poisoned darts on it positioned to move to the top after the previous one is fired.

The man backed up a few steps and raised his hands palms up. "Such fury. You must really love her." Emeka moved his hand back then forward in a gesture to tell the man to back away. The man backed away a few more steps. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so jealous. I will leave." The man started to turn around, then he remembered what he had come there for. "Please look after her. The Masai Clan took most of her powers and her ability to speak. The good news is, her voice will return in a year or so, maybe sooner. The bad news is, hey have sentenced her to  exile." In a voice that matched Emeka's vehemence he said. "They cut her off from the land." The bitches, he thought to himself, but Emeka heard it clearly. "She won't be able to block out . . ." he paused trying to find the right word. "She'll be more empathic." He said instead.
 
 

As Emeka continued to talk to the mysterious man, Lieut. Tyler Denzon became disgusted and stalked off into the nearby forest. I hope they kill each other! He thought to himself.

The forest near the A'sua Citadel, was very large, dense, and beautiful. The trunks of the some of the trees were ebony with purple looking moss. The leaves of these trees shimmered green and electric blue, and had red plum blossoms growing from the branches.

Other trees looked somewhat like a cross between a spruce and a weeping willow. Their leaves started out as long thick dark purple needles that spread into more wispy leaves like the willow.

Shrubs and stunted trees mingled with trees that looked like they might be taller than even the mighty redwoods of his home on Earth. If this forest wasn't so damn close to that Zen'ya Citadel, I'd bring my son here so that we can spend more time together. He thought with a sigh. After wandering around a bit, he decided to take a quick nap, since Emeka told him the Zen'ya wouldn't return. They'd better not return! I'm tired of getting mixed up with all these freaks! After wandering a little more, Denzon found a small clearing with a large rock shaped like a crescent moon on its side that shimmered like white gold in the Sun. He sat down on the soft blue green grass in the tiny alcove created by the shiny rock, and slowly leaned his back against the rock. Thinking it would be hot from the sun's heat, but it was surprisingly cool to the touch. He shrugged it off and leaned all the way back and got into a comfortable position. In no time was off into the dream world imagining life with no mutants, aliens, or other weirdoes.

Back at the entrance to the forest, Emeka and the mysterious stranger continued their guarded conversation. "I still don't trust you, why do you want me to give her this potion after we get back to the ship?" Asked Emeka, after the stranger handed over a glass bottle about the size of a Mega Mistic fruit beverage.

"Because, if you give it to her now, the hunters will come back and harm her more." Suddenly the stranger looked up and had a distant look on his face. A few seconds later, he shook his head as if shaking off a thought and returned his attention back to Yazashi. He looked at her as though he were speaking to her telepathically. Her eyes fluttered briefly but didn't open. Then he turned his attention to Emeka. "I must leave, please take care of her. I love her more than life." he paused, "I think you understand what that means." he turned his head away again, when he returned his attention, he spoke with urgency. "It is okay to wake her now, your comrades are near. I must go."    Emeka nodded and looked down at his sleeping love. When he looked up, the stranger was gone.

"Casshan..." Yazashi moaned in her sleep.

Emeka looked back down at her slightly confused. "I wonder..." he said to himself but was instantly brought out of his reverie, by the sound of sub light engines approaching. It must be the Runabout. He thought quietly. The Alliance only used those old clunky ships when they wanted to get into enemy territory without raising too many eyebrows. They weren't as sleek, graceful, or advanced as the regular ships in the Armada, but they were tough. If he remembered correctly, they were long range shuttle fighters originally manufactured Alpha Quadrant, usually based off space stations. Now they were everywhere, less "armored" versions were the vehicle of choice for many hotrodders. "Mmf" Emeka said to himself. "I bet that's Shadow piloting that shuttle. I know her flying anywhere"    Moments later the Runabout made its final approach to the outskirts of the forest. A small wind kicked up as the it landed. Emeka had to shield Yaz against the dirt that had flown up and caught the wind. The outer hatch of the shuttle opened and a med team emerged with a anti-grav sled in tow over to Emeka.

"Falcon! er . . Lieut. Commander Fedykin  are you all right? We got here as soon as we could." One of the med techs asked. Then he looked down at Yazashi and winced. She used to be so beautiful. Most of the male population aboard Eyes of Ibad  had a crush on her. Now, her bronze colored skin wasn't as shimmery, her hair that used to be long, silky, dark Indian red was now matted, nappy, and dark red from a gash on her once gorgeous face. Even the jewel sliver embedded in her forehead had the looked of fading life.

"How is Ya..." Shadow began when she reached the small group. When she saw her friend's condition her heart broke.  "How bad is she?" She asked the med tech with the scanner.

"I'm afraid to move her. There's a bullet worm in her that is dangerously close to her heart and lungs. If we move her too much,  . . ." the med tech had to stop, to fight back the tears and sorrow threatening to overwhelm him. Shadow nodded. How can someone with such spirit be so fragile? She asked herself as she began to cry silently.    Emeka snapped his head up and looked dead at her when she asked the question she thought only she could hear. His face was so full of anguish and sorrow, that she had to turn away.

"Ensign, why don't they just teleport her aboard the Runabout?" She asked another med tech.    "Because. If the bullet worm detects a teleportation signature, it will explode." he said sadly.

Shadow didn't think her heart could sink any lower, until that moment. He must feel so awful. She thought to herself, this time careful to shield her thoughts from Emeka. Oh, poor baby!  With his empathy, he must feel all her pain. Oh how awful!

"Falcon . . er . . Emeka, can you slow the bullet down any further so that we can get her onto the sled?" asked the med tech who had the scanner.

"I can try. . .I can do."  he corrected himself. With that, he closed his eyes and concentrated on locating the bullet. Once he found it, he forced it to halt its agonizing journey, but his hold was tenuous and wouldn't hold for very much longer. "Do it now!" he said, his voice straining with great effort. "I don't know how much longer I can hold it!"    Without a word the med techs quickly lifted Yazashi's small unconscious frame onto the anti-grav sled. Just as they got her secure, Emeka's hold on the bullet shattered. He broke out in a cold sweet and felt really light headed. He looked as if he were about to collapse. One of the not currently assisting Yazashi, helped Emeka to his feet. It was then Shadow realized someone was missing.

"Lieut. Commander Fedykin, where is Lieutenant Denzon?"

Emeka looked at her for a second with a blank expression. It took him a second to dawn on him that she had actually asked a question. He blinked once, then looked around. "I. . .I don't .  .know. He was here a while ago. He must have left while I . ." his voice trailed off as concentrated on finding Lieut. Denzon. After a few seconds of intense concentration, he located him about 2 Klics away. His eyes flew wide open when he realized the Lieut. was not alone. He tried to dash off into the forest, but his legs gave out and he started shaking. Damn! Now is not the time to have a seizure Emeka! He said to himself. As he lost control of his body. "H..h..he'sss..i..i.iin ddddangerrrrr! tttttwwo . . .ooo  cccccll . . lliicxxxssss eeeeeeeaaaaastttttt!"He said trying to stay conscious long enough to get the warning out.

"That way?" Shadow asked.

 "yyyyeeeaahh" Emeka responded weakly then lost consciousness completely.

Do not worry Emeka. I will warn to Zidai'ya away before it is too late. Your comrade does not know he is defecating on sacred land. The voice of the stranger, Casshan? spoke to him.    If he had had the strength, Emeka would have laughed long and hard. As it was, he could only mentally chuckle at the poor old fool.

"Ahh, that feels good." Lieut. Denzon said to himself with a sigh as he relieved himself by a nearby tree. Out of the corner of his eye he saw flash of movement. He turned around to see what it was, while pulling up his pants and going for his weapon. Before he could draw it, however, he saw another quick movement in front of him then heard a low thud as if someone had been knocked to the ground, then he saw the body that was knocked to the ground and to body that did the knocking. The mysterious stranger stood in front of him in a battle stance. While a young looking warrior picked himself up of the forest floor. A quick glance around revealed others in and around the trees surrounding him. Upon a closer look, the warrior had many of the same characteristics of Yazashi. His skin was a dark bronze color, his eyes seemed to be three or four different colors at once, and had a lithe frame. Although he too had long hair, it wasn't Indian Red, rather it was jet black, and pulled back into a long braid with a spear like fasten at the end of the tail.

The man stood up and began speaking in a language Denzon didn't understand toward the stranger. Apparently the stranger understood, because he responded using the same language.  The man who spoke to the stranger made a slight movement and everyone around them seemed to disappear into the wood of the trees.  The stranger turned to face Denzon. "Next time you feel the need to relieve yourself make sure you do not take leave on sacred ground." The stranger pointed to a strange symbol on the tree he had pissed on a few moments before. "As I understand, defecating on sacred property is a great offense in most religions." With that, the stranger also vanished into the wood.

Moments later,  Shadow found the small clearing Emeka had indicated before his collapse. There she saw Lieut. Denzon standing by a tree with a bewildered look on his face. "Tyler, are you all right? Emeka said you were in danger."

"I was, but someone talked whoever they were into not harming me." He responded almost for a loss of words.

"We have to hurry back, Yazashi is still in critical condition, and Emeka has also collapsed from exhaustion." Shadow said, she started to head back when an idea popped in her head. "Tyler, do you know how to ride a horse?"

"Uh, yeah. Why do you ask?" He answered slightly confused.

"Hop on when I change. We can be back at the landing site inside of two minutes." Shadow responded and with that, she turned into a brown horse. With a little hesitation, Denzon mounted Shadow and they road off toward the landing site.

True to her word, Shadow and Lieut. Tyler Denzon arrived at the landing site within two minutes. As soon as Denzon dismounted, Shadow changed back into her normal form and they hurriedly boarded the Runabout. Shadow rushed into the cockpit and made sure everyone was ready. Denzon took a seat at engineering. After a couple of minutes they were free of the planet known only by the name of it's Great Citadel, A'sua.
 
 

"Mark, as soon as we get out of this system, go to warp, OK? I'm going to go check on Yaz and Emeka." Shadow spoke to a young ensign, as she gave him her seat.

"Aye," Mark responded subdued.

She walked to the rear of the tiny vessel, praying for the best, expecting the worst. When she reached the small living area, her heart stopped. Emeka was on the far side of the room on a low makeshift cot, Yaz had been placed on the large table that took up most of the room. The table that had been snow white was now crimson, as Yaz's life slipped away with her blood. The med team moved frantically about her splitting into two groups, one group carefully dodged all the booby traps of the bullet, while the other group repaired her internal bleeding. She stood there staring unable to believe all this started just one week ago. She grabbed the nearest med tech, "Remember to give her some of that liquid Emeka found."

The med tech mearly nodded, and continued on with his business.  Shadow left and found a quiet corner of the vessel to sit down, think, pray, and reminisce.

On the cot Emeka began to dream. . .

    "So, what do you want to do tonight. My shift doesn't start until tomorrow afternoon." Emeka said seductively to his fiancé as he pulled her to him in a passionate embrace.
    Yaz gave him a very lazy eye then leaned in even closer to whisper in his ear. "I have to go to work." she pulled
back, gave him a light peck on the lips, and disentangled herself from him. She turned away from him and walked to the head, switching her hips the whole way.
    Emeka took in a sharp breath, and closed his eyes. "Don't DO that!"
    "Do what?" Yazashi peeped over her shoulder, she definitely got the desired reaction. She smiled innocently at him as she turned around.
    "You know good and well what you're doing. I thought you said you had to go. So hurry up and get your uniform on so we can at least catch a meal before you go." he said slightly perturbed.
    "I said I had to go to work, not go on duty." she said with a secretive smile, and a raise of her left eyebrow.
    He smiled at her and walked over to her. "Oh I see." When he reached her, he grabbed her waist and lifted her high into the air. Then let her go. She screamed as she fell but just before she hit the floor, she stopped, then gently landed on her feet.
    She growled menacingly at him for  a second then lightly punched him. "Don't do that! You know how much I'm scared of heights!" Then she giggled at him. They both knew she had no fear of heights, especially since she was a pilot.
    After a few minutes of play punches she grabbed a pillow, and they a pillow fight.

"God knows how the story goes?
It's taking everything you need
I kissed you over and the feelings I feel I find
How the hell could I not want you

Girl you don' t have to be afraid
I'll wait for you, You wait for me
Cuz true love's assisting me
Don't have to rush at all

These are the times we all wish for
The moment we less means so much more
We don't have to do a thing at all
We can take our time and talk
And this is the way things need to be
No pressure from you and none from me
Just let the mood set the moment off
We can make love all night long. . .

    Yaz looked up into his purple eyes, snuggling closer and leaned up and kissed him delicately on his soft full lips.
    Emeka smiled as the kiss ended and continued the song with a lusty smile.

Be thinking bout you all the time
Morning, noon, and supper time
Tear you up in little pieces
Swallow you like Reese's pieces
Come on girl you know I need you

     She gave him a devious smile, and just curled in even closer and rested her head on his chest letting his melodious voice put her to sleep.

The next day, Yazashi's people came and took her away. . .

Emeka woke with a start, and looked around the tiny makeshift infirmary. A med tech, noticed he'd awakened and tried to speak to him. But he couldn't understand him through the fog in his head. His head hurt and he was exhausted, but all he could think about was, his Zealot. Yazashi, his love.

At that moment he remembered the bottle Casshan had given him. He forced himself up, and staggered to the table on which Yaz lay. The med techs working over her were suddenly forced away by unseen hands. He reached her side, and cradled her head in his arms for a moment. His deep purple eyes looking down a her battered face, brushing the loose hair away. Emeka uncapped the bottle and tipped it to her lips. At first he poured out just enough to wet her lips. Then her lips parted and she licked her lips, and he poured more.  Before long she drank the liquid.

For a brief moment Yaz opened her eyes, but a trice was all she needed to tell Emeka what had happened to her.  The flashes of her memories for the past week, slammed into his brain and completely overwhelmed him. He reeled in a dazed briefly, then collapsed on the floor.
 
 

"Captain! I'm detecting a ship on long range scanners. It appears to be on an intercept course with us, sir." Lieutenant Mark Aliveraz turned from the comm to look at the Captain. "They're within hailing frequencies, sir. Should I try to contact them?"

The Captain, 45 year old kid at heart by the name of Tyler Drake, took a deep breath from his Captain's Chair and placed around him an air of reproach rarely seen on his usually playful face. He knew this day would come, the moment he allowed Lieutenant Yazashi Ijaz-TyMyika aboard his ship. A meeting with Yaz's peers, a race so elusive, no one knows where their homeworld is. Or if it even exists, and whose powers have never seen an equal outside their own kind. Captain Drake rose from his chair, collecting his marbles before he spoke. "Yes, Lieutenant. Proceed."

"Hailing frequencies open sir."

"Unidentified vessel, This is Captain Tyler Drake of the Alliance Dreadnought, Eyes of Ibad. Please state your business with us." Always good to be forward. The Captain thought to himself.  Of course it's been known to get you into trouble to.  with a mental sigh. ah well, too late now.

For an eternal second. silence.

"Captain Drake, of Eyes of Ibad" spoke a voice over the comm, but no picture appeared on the screen.

"Lieutenant. Are they transmitting a visual?" The Captain questioned slightly puzzled.

"No sir, we're not receiving any visuals from them"

". . .we are a Zen'ya battleship. Please return Yazashi Ijaz to our custody peacefully or we will take her by force." With that, the image of a woman appeared on the main screen of the bridge. Her features were almost hawk like. Her hair was long, all the way down her back. Where the more elusive Zidai'ya only wore one long braid with a blade on the end. This woman wore five braids with jagged edged daggers on the ends of all but the middle braid in her hair, that dagger was smooth. Her skin tone was honey gold and her eyes were a piercing emerald green. If one looked closely, they would see a striking resembles to Yazashi.

"You know I can't allow you to do that. She is a citizen and officer of the Alliance she is not apart of your government any longer." What am I doing? Am I willing to go against an entire empire over a friend? The Captain asked himself. In a heartbeat.

Just then the lift doors opened to reveal Yazashi supported by the ever present Emeka. "I'll go peacefully Unjinctu." Yaz spoke to the screen, as she stepped onto the bridge.

The woman on the sceen simply bowed toward her and said. "You have just saved the lives of your friends, sister." her image disappeared from the screen and in its place, the image of a ship that was there and wasn't came into view.  The only thing visible was outline of the ship, everything else appeared to be space. Everyone about the bridge figured it to be some sort of cloaking device.

Emeka smiled at her and kissed her one last time. Before he let go she disappeared in a soft golden haze. When he opened his eyes, he looked down and saw a single T'lle pedal on the floor. He picked it up and felt Yaz' presence on it. He would get her back even if it took his very last breath to do it. He would find a way.

"Captain. The ship is disengaging. . .it's gone, sir." Mark said with a heavy heart.

"Can you track it?" The Captain asked even though he already knew the answer.

“Sir, the ship . . .it disappeared sir. I’m not detecting any warp, hyperspace, or jumpgate signatures other than our own. It’s like it was never here, sir.”

Everyone on the bridge looked dead. For the past year and a half. Yazashi had brightened the lives of virtually everyone aboard ship. Nearly 10,000 souls in all. They were not going to take this lying down.

The Captain looked around the bridge and noticed Emeka had not moved an inch since he picked up the flower pedal. “Find them.” The Captain commanded everyone. Just before he turned to leave the bridge to his office opposite the lift doors. The Captain looked at Emeka "Lieutenant."

Emeka continued to eye the pedal.

"Mr. Fedykin." The Captain spoke his voice more insistent, but his volume did not increase.

Still, Emeka ignored him.

"Falcon!" This time the Captain raised his voice and it sounded like thunder to everyone present.

At this, Emeka looked up at him as though the Captain had whimpered his name instead of yelling with hotfire. "Yes, sir?"

"Ready Room, Now." With that, Drake turned around and went into his office.

“Sir, I think I know where she is.” Emeka spoke as soon as the door closed behind him.

“Where?”

“I’m not exactly sure sir, but I know how to find her.” Producing the T’lle pedal Yaz had dropped, he displayed it before the captain. “We find her with this.”

“How are we going to find her with from a flower pedal ?” Drake asked incredulously.

“This flower is found only in the system they’ve taken her. The problem is, it isn’t always in the same place. Not too long ago, Yaz taught me how to track it. I think she knew they’d come after her sooner or later.” Emeka became distant as he thought of his fiancé. Shaking off the memories looked at the captain. “I need a small ship. Maybe a runabout, and a crew of no more than four including myself.”

Drake looked at him for a moment in thoughtful silence. “Alright, but take Denzon with you, he’s more familiar with the runabout systems than you are.” Seeing Emeka visually groan. “I know you two don’t get along well. Hell, I can’t stand the bastard myself, but he’s the best when it comes to piloting those hunks of junk.”

“Alright sir, I’ll assemble a team. I know you’re going to let me bring Shadow with me.” Emeka asked hopeful.

“There’s no reason to let the three best fighter pilots we have go AWOL.” The Captain smiled at him.

Emeka’s face twisted in a wicked grin. “I get your meaning sir. That’s why you’re agreeing to my plan.”

“What plan lieutenant?” The Captain snickered. “Now get out of here. I want you gone before shift change.” Hearing this, Emeka bowed out.

Unjinctu turned to Yazashi and in a quiet voice said, “You know they’ll come for you.”

Yaz looked up at her sister, she was right. They would come for her. Why did I leave that T’lle leaf for Emeka? I just signed his death certificate and anyone else’s he brings with him. “Yes, I know.”

Unjinctu regarded her sister quietly, wondering why she was about to get herself into. “I’ll help you return. I know we’ve never been close, but I do understand. Once we see the Tribunal I’ll arrange for your escape.” She noticed the depression in her sister’s face and asked, “Have you spoken to Casshan recently?” Yaz withdrew even further within herself. That was it. “What do you know?” It seemed like a simple enough question, yet as soon as she asked it, her sister’s eyes changed. Instead of a solid earthy brown, they changed to a medium tan with bright flecks of bronze. It took her a moment to realize that she was crying. Crying without tears. She bent down and hugged her sister tightly, asking no more questions.

After a few minutes of simply being there for each other, Yaz stiffened, “We’re home.”

Unji looked out of the view port to see the planet of her birth come into view. It was so beautiful and immense. It had one giant super continent, the home of two very immense cities that contained 90% of the entire population of the planet. They were headed to the larger of the two, the A’sua Citadel.

As soon as the ship landed at one of the Citadel's hidden docking ports, Yaz was immediately escorted off the ship by four of Unji's Honor Guard.  Looking around, she immediately regretted it. She had forgotten how beautiful this ancient fortress was.  The tall spires of the towers stood at seemingly impossible angles and heights.  Most of the inhabitants didn't even know what they were for. She did, however, and solemnly wished she didn't.  They were powerful cannon like weapons capable of destroying a dreadnought orbiting the planet in one single shot. She only remembered them being used once, and they weren't even her memories.  As they walked down the brightly-lit corridors, she reached out with her mind and tried to feel the walls. A warm sensation swept over her and the growing anxiety she was feeling eased. Thank you. She said to the wall. She'd almost forgotten the way the spirits of this place existed in everything. When she first came to this city, the spirits frightened her, but as she grew older she realized they were there for her and she was there for them.

Before Yaz reached the anti-chamber to the Great Hall, she sensed a familiar presence.  She smiled to herself as the presence spoke to her. Don’t worry; I’ve got a plan to get you out of here. She could hear the mischievous smile in the thoughts of her husband.

Casshan, please don’t do anything to get me in even more trouble than I’m already in. Yaz pleaded with him.

It doesn’t get any worse than this my love. They’ve decided . . . you’ll die slow.

 I know, was all Yaz could manage without showing any outward emotion that would indicate she was talking to someone.

At that moment a dark figure emerged from the shadows. He was tall with long sepia colored hair reaching low to his waist pulled back in a tight braid ending with a metal spear point engraved with his tribal symbol. His coal black eyes had bright gold and silver specks perfectly matching his silky mahogany skin. In each ear, dangled nine earrings of varying lengths of silver and gold. He was wearing a solid black body suit that had a pin on the neck of the collar with the same symbol as the spearhead on the tail of his hair. A crimson cape encircled him; the same symbol was stitched prominently down the left side of the front and down the right in the back. A hematite clasp with Yaz’ tribal symbol held the cape firmly around his shoulders.

“Emperor Casshan, what are you doing here?” Asked one of Yaz’ guards trying to hide his fear of the man before him. “You’re at the treaty signing in Cen’zi.”

With a wry smile he replied to the distraught guard, “Now how could I be there,” He paused showing two perfect rows of white teeth, his canines slightly extended on both rows. “if I’m right here.” Casshan again paused. “Release my mate.” His voice was very calm, which made him all the more frightening before the guards.

Despite the guards’ shock, they were aware Casshan might attempt a rescue of his mate. They expected him to charge in with fiery eyes, guns blazing. This is what they prepared for. But no, instead he merely approached them at the doors and calmly requested. They found themselves stepping aside before their brains could catch up. Casshan walked confidently to Yaz and embraced her lightly, before pulling away he looked at Unjinctu who was standing in front of him a few meters away. He bent his head down to Yaz’ ear, and whispered, run.

Like lightning Yaz, Unji, and Casshan bolted in the opposite direction of the Great Hall, found a gate and fled through it.

On the other end of the gate, the trio emerged. Looking around they realized they were in one of the caves just outside one of A'sua's forest Gates. "We should be safe for now." Unjinctu spoke trying to convince herself as well as the others.

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