A noise woke her up from the fitful sleep that she was in. Groggily, she raised her head from the pillow and took in her surroundings. She was in the comfort of her bedroom, but upon closer inspection her sleep filled mind realized that her things were missing. Her mind went into a panic as she searched around the room for her belongings before reality started to catch up with her. This wasn't her bedroom, at least not now. It was her room for close to a decade, some of her best memories happened here and it was hard for her to let go of it. She sighed as she brought her knees up to her chin.

In truth, Rory was barely twelve when she first met Ashton. It was right after her parents got into another one of their nasty fights, her mother had been drinking while her father was high as a kite. The two were always like gasoline and fire whenever they indulged in their respective vices, and both enjoyed their vices on a daily basis. Rory couldn't remember much from that day, just that she needed to escape from the dark hell of her home and ran as far away as she could. There was no destination for her to head to, no known extended family or friends from school that she could possibly visit. She was alone with nowhere to go and couldn't survive another day there. The only thing that she knew at the time was that she didn't want to return to that purgatory.

The barely audible sound of the door opening and voices in the foyer hallway brought her back to reality again. It also dawned on her that while this was her bedroom for a time, she didn't belong there and that she needed to leave. 

She quickly did what she could to fix her disheveled appearance and walked out of the bedroom, fully intending on apologizing for being there. What she wasn't expecting was for Deputy Ryan standing in the living room looking like he was on the hunt.

“Cody… I, ah, good morning." She greeted timidly.

“Rory?" The surprise was evident on the sheppard's face as he turned to see her standing in the hallway. “Uh, morning Rory. What are you doing here?"

Rory shuffled her feet a little before she sheepishly started to give her answer. “Uhm, I know that I'm not supposed to be here but after last night, I just needed to find some solace."

“Uh huh…" Ryan grunted, looking at Rory a bit skeptically. “Say Rory, mind if I ask you a question?"

“What's that?"

“About when did you come here?" He asked.

“Is everything alright deputy?" Another voice asked, interrupting the conversation as a third person came into Rory's view.

Rory faintly recognized the guy that had appeared but yet couldn't quite place where she had seen him before. It was evident that he was also going through the same thought process as her as his face mirrored hers in thoughtful recognition, but also had a bit of confusion mixed in as he also tried to place where he had seen her. It took a little time before the memory of last night came to her and it dawned on her where she had seen this person. Apparently, about the same time, he also remembered where he had seen her before.

“YOU!" They both nearly shouted in stereo. “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!?! WHAT AM I DOING HERE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE! I BELONG HERE! NO YOU DON'T! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO DON'T BELONG HERE! THIS IS MY UNCLE'S HOUSE, NOT YOURS!"

        -/-\-

“Make the impossible possible." I say with a grin. “ What is this ship's dive capability?"

“We'd be faster if we tried a flat run than trying to descend." Asami said with a sigh. “But again, we will need time to build up our speed and they will notice our deceleration to fully utilize our VTOL capabilities."

“I didn't ask about our decent capabilities, I asked what this ship can do in a nose dive."

The acting captain shook her head. “Not going to happen. The gyro-stabilizers would not let the ship angle down past negative twenty-five degrees and the AGR-Engines would prevent a rapid descent. The only way to force… A… Dive…" The woman started to get wide eyed as she looked at me as something formed in her head. I crooked an eyebrow as I started to piece together what was being left unsaid. “No…" She said as I started to understand what was being left unsaid. “No." I nodded as she shook her head from side to side. “Nononononononono… N O NO!"

“Wait, what am I missing?"

“To nose dive, we are going to have to go into a free fall." I say as I looked at the bridge officer that asked the question. “Meaning…"

“…Meaning we are going to have to shut off the engines." Pinch finish for me. The officer groaned as his skin paled under his facial fur.

“Attention unidentified craft, stop your engines and prepare to be boarded." The speaker hissed again.

Asami swallowed hard as she made some mental decisions before quickly running to another cabinet and pulling out five harnesses, hurriedly handing them out to everyone. The harnesses were a simple affair, basically a belt with two suspenders like straps that went over one's shoulders and under your legs with another connecting strap that you latch to a bar under the station you were at. Once she had her own harness on, she went for the ship's intercom.

“Attention everyone, prepare for free fall. I repeat, prepare for free fall!"

“Attention unidentified craft. Stop your engines and prepare to be boarded! This is your last warning! Stand to or be fired upon!"

“What are we going to do?" Asami said nervously to no one in particular. “We need at least a minute for the others to get ready." I rushed over to where the command console was and asked Asami where the switch was to shut the engine off, she pointed to a key on the console. “That one."

“Okay" I said as I grabbed the microphone that was there at the station. “Is this set for ship to ship?" She flipped a few leavers and then nodded. I took a deep breath as I tried to calm my nerves. “How much time should I buy?" I asked.

“As much as you can." Asami said as she helped with locking down the cabinets.

“Okay…" I said to myself before pressing the button on the side of the mic and speaking in a really weird, fast, and sloppy accent. “Oi!… You woke me from nice nap! What you want!" I could feel all eyes on me as everyone tried to figure out what the hell I was doing and what exactly I had said. Apparently, the person on the other side of the radio was trying to do the same thing as it took as it took a few moments for him to respond.

“What the…" The speaker muttered low. “Who is this? Identify yourself."

“Who-Yu."

“…" Another moment of silence. “Identify yourself!"

“Who-Yu!"

“I'M THE ONE ASKING THE QUESTIONS!" The speaker shouted in frustration. “WHO ARE YOU!"

“Name not Who-R-Yu." I shouted right back. “You FAILure! You can't get simple name right!"

“Then TELL ME YOUR NAME!"

“Who-Yu."

The radio fell silent again before another voice hissed through the speaker. “Speaker, identify yourself."

“Who-Yu." I said again into the mic. “Can't help that last one was a FAILure, can't get simple name right!"

“Who's your captain? Put him on Right Now!"

“Yes."

“... Who Is Your Captain?"

“Yes."

“Your captain's name is Yes?..."

“No! Captain Who!"

“THE NAME OF YOUR CAPTAIN!!!"

“Captain WHO!"

“Identify Yourself RIGHT Now!"

“Who-Yu!"

“That's IT! Shut down your engines Right NOW or else we WILL shoot you down!"

“You FAILure!" I shouted as I gripped the key. “You all FAILures! None of you understand simple name! I show you how not to be failure!" I shoved the mic into place and twisted the key to the off position.

-/-\-

On The Brink

“You think that it's the Harbinger's fleet?"

Before Cygra could answer, an ugly, blubber-us form appeared in front of them. Even at this distance, the thing was horrendous to look at. The best description for what it could possibly look like was a collected mass of fleshy colored tentacles that were wrapped around a sickly-looking center of bubbles that one might find in a swamp or a bog. The sight of the thing alone made the fleet pause in fear. More flashes of reddish hues appearing around the thing only added to the dread.

“Sensors report one hive form, twenty-eight spawn forms, seventy-nine runner forms, a hundred and thirty-seven cruiser forms, and sixteen harvester forms."

“My gods…"

“They almost outnumber us two to one…"

“Think it's their main fleet?"

“No…" Cygra said, interrupting the murmur of shock and speculation from the crew around him. “This is just a probing fleet, probably drawn by the power of the region gate." He took a deep breath to strengthen his resolve. “Open a channel to the fleet." He waited until the communication officer nodded that the channel was open. “All ships assume defensive positions and be ready to screen hostels away from the Barrage Frigates. Barrage Frigates, target the hive and spawn forms first then prioritize from there." He waited a moment for the fleet to situate their positions before giving his next command. “Open FIRE!"

Nothing seemingly happened for a few seconds before twenty-five beams of white light shot out towards the enemy fleet, followed shortly by several explosions in the distance. The Explosions were a good sign of enemy bio-ships being hit and potentially destroyed by the long range beam fire.

“Confirm good hits on twenty-two targets." An operator said, much to the cheers of the less experienced bridge crew. “Reports say that seven ship-forms were destroyed and twelve more are floundering."

While the inexperienced crew cheered at the news, Cygra and a few others had grim expressions. Less than ten percent was taken out of the equation and the enemy was no doubt preparing to retaliate. They were still looking at two-to-one odds in the enemy's favor.

“Tell the Barrage Frigates to take a shot at any target of opportunity and to fire at will." Cygra barked in order to get his crew back to their tasks. “All other ships, weapons free. Take out as many ships that come into range." The crew looked at the commander for a moment, skeptically before finally turning back to perform their duties.

“Multiple contacts detected! Spawn-forms are releasing strike drones!!"

“Deploy all ARC Frames!" Yori shouted. “They're going to have to handle the combat drones while the fleet tries to take out the runners that are coming!" 

Soon the forward view was filled with plumes of light as humanoid mech launched from their respective ships and charged forward in rudimentary formations. Cygra couldn't help but feel that he was essentially leading his people to the slaughter against this unknown foe. The Armored Robotic Core Frames, or ARC Frames, were soon joined by more beams of light as some of the Barrage Frigates fired prematurely in an attempt to thin out the oncoming opposition. Explosions bloomed ahead of the fleet as combat between frames and enemy drones exchanged weapons fire at each other. Soon, communications were flooded with catcalls, call outs, threats, and other nonstandard communications.

“Yeah! Nailed one!"

“Get squished stupid bug!"

“Don't be shooting that purple crap at me!"

“Watch out! You got three of them ganging up on you!"

“Help! I can't shake them!"

“I'm hit, I can't control it!"

-/-\-

Dark Fracture: Part 5

Fourth Commander Mrala Linhethal entered the compartment, once most of the Tech Psyions were rounded up. Her gaze upon the group was just like a predator looking upon their prey. She noted that most of the Psyions were rodents, mostly of the mice variety with others like a few long eared rabbits, larger rats, and more than a few lizards mixed in.

“Forth Commander Linhethal," A lizard spoke up. “What is the meaning of this? Why have you barged in our sacred recess of the ship and rounded up the Psyions Dominion like they were enemies?"

“Because they are enemies of the Dominion." The figure in the wolf helmet stated.

“How do you figure that?"

“You are interfering with a mission given to this ship by the Overlord himself." Mrala piped up in explanation. “I'd suggest that you fix what you did before the ship is ripped apart!"

“There is nothing to fix." The lizard Psyion said. “Everything is working as it should."

“You're lying." The figure stated, glaring at the lizard.

“I am not!" The Psyion exclaimed. “I am an honorable servant of the Dominion and head Tech…"

“Now you're stalling."

It was hardly noticeable what had happened. One moment the Psyion was talking then the next, the Lizard's head exploded into a shower of purple gore. There was a multitude of panicked yelps and gasps at the event that just happened. The figure dropped the arm holding the pistol to his side before turning to the remaining techs.

“The punishment for treason is execution." Dar said flatly, glaring at them from behind that helmet of his. “And right now, all of you are guilty of treason!" Many of the techs looked at each other with a worried expression.

“Lord Tavor," Mrala said, walking up to the human. “Are you sure they are all guilty? I'm certain it was only a select few that are truly guilty of betraying your orders."

“They are all guilty." He said flatly. "Either by following the orders of a saboteur, or by allowing it to happen and keeping quiet to allow the sabotage to happen."

“L-L-L-Lord Tavor…" A meek voice spoke up. It belonged to a young looking mouse, barely into his adulthood by his youthful appearance. “Please have mercy on us. Many of us were not privy to what the High Psyions were discussing earlier and have no knowledge of the sabotage that you are talking about."

Dar was quiet for a moment, obviously contemplating what the mouse had said. However when the human spoke next, the tech's hearts sank. “I don't believe you." He then turned to one of the troopers. “Escort them to the nearest airlock and prepare to have them jettisoned." Mrala was about to say something, but Dar had turned his back to the techs and raised a finger up to his helmet to hush her for the moment. 

-/-\-

Legend of Zelda: Invasion of the Clockworks Empire

It was a quiet night, only broken up by a travailing trio that were giggling, singing, and playing music as their horse dutifully trotted along the dusty road with a wagon in tow. It was close to an hour since the sun had set and the three were in a merry mood as the horse trotted along, the two in the back singing and playing an ocarina respectively while the driver hummed to the melody that was being played behind her. They seemed like a mismatched group of young traveling girls, but they were as close as sisters and it showed to any that they interacted with. Driving the wagon was Dinera, happily humming to the music that was coming from the back. Sitting behind and to the right of Dinera was Nayru, singing an energetic and cheerful tune while strumming her harp in time with her melody. Across from her was the youngest and seemingly oddball of the group, Farore. She was happily playing her ocarina along with Nayru's melody.

It was on a section of road that passed through a section of woods when things changed for the three.

The three were continuing their melody and merriment when Farore suddenly stopped playing the ocarina and looked off into the distance, raising her nose into the air and taking a few whiffs. It took a few moments before Nayru noticed that her friend had stopped and looked at her younger companion questionably.

“Farore, what's wrong?"

Upon hearing the question, Dinera brought the horse to a stop out of instinct and twisted in her seat to glance back at her companions. Once the wagon came to a stop, Farore stood up and sniffed the night's air. “What's going on Nayru?" The Gerudo asked, seeing their youngest companion focused on what she was doing.

“I don't know, Dinera." Nayru said with a little worry in her voice. “Farore, please tell us what's going on?"

“Something's in the air." Farore said as she stood on the bench beside Nayru. The young girl's focus was off deeper into the woods that they were passing through. Dinera and Nayru were quiet as they waited for Farore to figure out what it was she smelled. While the world was relatively safe for travelers, that still didn't mean that there wasn't a variety of brigands or worse; monsters that still roamed the lands looking unsuspecting travelers to attack. As the time dragged on though, Dinera's own warrior sense was starting to flare up and to the Gerudo that could only mean one thing... Trouble. Dinera eyes started to scan the surrounding woods as she reached for her ruby spear that she had latched behind the driver's bench of the wagon. After a moment Farore finally spoke one word that confirmed the dread that was building with Dinera.

“Blood…"

“What?" Nayru whimpered out.

“There's blood in the air." Farore said as she took another strong whiff of air.

The woods had fallen silent around the travelers after they had stopped, giving the three an eerie feeling as they grabbed lanterns to scan their surroundings. The only sound was the nickering of their horse as it stood waiting, prompting Dinera to jump off the wagon and went to the horse and soothed it as she continued to keep vigilance on both the road and the area of woods that Farore seems to be focusing on.

“Something's coming."

The announcement put Dinera on alert as Farore jumped off the wagon to join her friend. Nayru stayed in the wagon, the poor girl getting visibly worried as she huddled down out of sight. Farore took the lead as she started to walk the edge line of the road with Dinera following close behind her with a lantern in one hand and her spear at the ready in the other. The woods remained still for several tense moments before the sound of rustling leaves reached their ears, drawing both girl's attention. Dinera sat the lantern down on the ground as she readied herself to cast one of her spear's offensive abilities, fire-bolt.

“There!" Farore announced as she pointed out a moving shadow deeper in the trees and Dinera began her motions to cast her magic.

“WAIT!!!" Nayru shouted, startling the other two girls as the Aydian grabbed Dinera's arm to stop her from casting the magic.

“NAYRU!" Dinera shouted in shock at her friend's actions. “What the Honest HELL! I could have hurt you or worse!"

“Just... Wait..." Nayru said in a calmer voice. She then turned to Farore and placed a genial hand on her friend's shoulder. The girl turned to face Nayru, the triangle ears on her head were pinned back and she made a soft whine as the eldest stepped forward into the woods. “It's alright." Nayru said in her soft voice. “We won't hurt you. You can come out." She then stopped near a large tree and knelt down. “Please?" There was a moment nothing seemed to happen when a girl timidly inched her way into view from behind the tree and despite the darkness of the night, the look of fright was very clear in her crystal blue eyes. “That's right." Nayru said, trying to draw the child further out into the light. “None of us are going to hurt you, alright? I promise you."