Futuristic Come on! Not agaain! -Sincerely, Adrian.

[Laine]

Keve sat up and smiled at the confirmation that his persuasion had worked. “Good.” He murmured, pulling the needle out of the Lieutenant’s arm and snapping the machine away. He was about to unstrap the other as he made his final demand – to which Keve let out a harsh chuckle at the audacity of the Time Agent. “…You want to see him?” He cocked an eyebrow at Cassidy, whom looked deadly serious in his request. His first instinct was to straight-up shut him down – remind him that he was lucky Adrian was even still alive, no matter what his condition was, and give him a painful electric shock to remind him of his own place in the situation. After all, such an opportunity could have chaotic consequences – what if the Time Agent escaped again, this time, with his lover? But the danger soon evaporated as Keve thought about it more; even if Cas did escape with Ade – even if Ade wanted to be rescued - they could go nowhere without a working hopper, as they were outsiders who couldn’t speak Vosnian, penniless, defenceless (the cuff normally prevented guns from firing) and human. And in the condition Ade was in, they would be travelling at a snail’s pace, which left the risk of them escaping the small district they were in undetected second to none. Furthermore, time was running out, and if some face time with Adrian and an empty promise to keep him safe was enough to send him on the mission, then perhaps it wasn’t such a bad idea after all.


“…I’m sure that can be arranged, providing I have your word you will co-operate, and follow my orders, to the letter.” Keve said. He spoke into his hopper for almost a minute, grin still carved into his face, and moments later three of his higher-rank goons appeared. They bared their teeth between their tongues at their leader as they entered, casting a dirty look at the other Time Agent before reluctantly untying him from the gurney. “Since you’ve been…less than co-operative, I’m taking extra precautions in the form of these escorts. They will accompany you wherever you go – including the bathroom – and have a direct line of contact with both myself and Adrian’s captors. If you try to run from them, or disobey me, they have the power to order Adrian to be executed, as well as have you fried like a bug-zapper.” Keve said simply, lighting another voff to calm himself down. He was taking no chances this time – there was no way for Cas to misinterpret his very plain threat.


Two of the goons hooked their arms under the Lieutenant’s armpits, and hauled him to his feet. They watched him with narrowed eyes, one spitting at him from afar, another purposely nudging his face with his elbow as he helped him up. “For now, they will assist you in setting up the ship for the mission. They will show you the warehouse where the gathered equipment is kept – choose whatever you think will be most useful.” He swallowed thickly as he said the last part, knowing full well more than half the things Cassidy mentioned he needed for the mission weren’t there – including the device from Olmos that was vital for the mission’s success. Keve eyed the Lieutenant cautiously, reluctantly adding as he led the four out of the room. “…I will arrange for you to meet with Adrian as soon as we are ready to leave.”


****


Adrian breathed a laboured sigh of relief, grunting and adjusting himself as a bruise on the side of his torso made itself known to him. “I-I tried, A-ansh. I really did try to – try to take it.” He sniffed with grim amusement, his voice pained as he spoke, “It’s like C-Cas always says; I’m just a civilian, at the end of the day…”


Ade pressed his head into the reptile’s hand, revelling in it’s warmth and comfort as Anshik murmured to him softly. He eventually slid back down into Anshik’s lap, which turned out to be the most comfortable place to rest his injuries. His face creased with confusion as he realised the meaning of the other’s words, biting his lip as he defended his lover. “H-he couldn’t have known they would – do all this to me…” He held his hands out in front of him, his stomach churning at the sight of the de-clawed fingertips. Some were still wet with blood at the ends, and the exposed nail beds were sensitive to even the slightest change of temperature – like the warm breath that was drifting from Anshik’s nostrils.


He looked back up at the reptile, biting his lip at his doubtful glance, “…Right?” There was an ounce of apprehension in his voice – after all, the way Cas had reacted at the scene, was almost as if he knew what was coming. Keve must’ve warned him at least once what would happen if he ran away, and Ade couldn’t help but wish he had followed his captor’s orders. “H-he was just t-trying to do the right thing. He knew that they would torment me, because I’m from the past, and I don’t know how to r-react to all this…f-future stuff…” Ade groaned, his immense insecurity about time travel showing through as he felt himself on the verge of tears again. All of Ade’s experiences of the future had been unpleasant – a series of being captured and re-captured, disgusting food, discrimination about his race, his species, his ideals, his height – even from his own lover. “He knew that this place is f-filled with awful, dangerous people, who enjoy…ripping fingernails…a-and biting ears off-” Ade shuddered violently at the memory, turning his head this way and that to relieve the throbbing at the side of his head.


He looked at his captor, whose face eclipsed the small, dim light above them, “-Except for you, Ansh, of c-course. You’ve been nothing – nothing but good to me.” He smiled weakly at his luck, glad at least that he hadn’t been stuck with Zise or the cat-like creature that had taunted him with his ear. Ade sighed, meeting the reptile’s features with unsure green eyes, “-And, I’m sorry, that C-cas, you know – pointed that gun at you earlier. If you you ever see him again, I’ll be sure to tell him that…you’re one of the good guys.”

 

[chellemrys]

The dark skinned agent watched Keve as he worked the request out in his head. He was truly shocked at the agreement, and he his stomach fluttered with joy. That is, until his heart sunk in mild dread, not really wishing to find that Adrian truly did hate him or something. He thought he was going immediately to see his love, and pulled lightly at the restraints when the goons came in, wishing to be freed from the tight, uncomfortable, bonds. However, Keve called it an arrangement, and Cas cast him a dubious glance, "Don't play with me..." He whispered in a partly threatening, partly pleading, tone.


Cas sat up slow, after being released by the goons. He rubbed his sore wrists, which now had chaffing where the restraints had worked into his skin. He frozen, and his heart skipped a beat when 'Adrian' and 'executed' were said in the same sentence together. Immediately, he replied in a mutter, "Fine... Whatever you'd like." He drooped to the side when the goons lifted him, a wave of slight nausea and dizziness temporarily striking, using the creatures as balance. "As long as you promise me." He whispered, as he was led out the door and down a corridor.


About an hour later, Cas would be sitting in a large garage area, in the driver's seat of the ship, looking over gizmos as he tried to assert what was best to bring. Adrian distracted him, but he knew the sooner he finished, the sooner he could see his love and get reassured of their salvaged relationship.


***


Anshik purred, "Yessh, you are just a civilian. You did not really grow up fighting bad guys, am I right?" He shook his head, after a tiny giggle, "Of course a civilian is weaker. It'ssh fine, Ade." The reptile's heart was fluttering, but he felt attacked by the idea of Cas, so he distracted Anshik again, purposefully trying to make Cas look less appealing.


"He did know; he had to know. He alsso knew if he just let you be, you would never have gotten beaten." He whispered, shaking his head in pity, "He sshould be more careful..." Around such a precious gem. He thought subconsciously. He could not help but laugh quite suddenly in incredulity, making a dark joke to himself. Yeah, if Lieutenant Cas Petar knew what I was thinking about you, right now, I'm sure he would be real friendly with me... He ignored the comment, only making this sarcastic joke to himself. What exactly am I thinking though? His cat's eye slit pupils met Adrian's gaze once more, after catching the human's head in his palm, getting the other to settle down, and quit thrashing his head around. I'm thinking... He is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen.





What happened next was partially subconscious; Anshik was so distracted by his inner thoughts, that he started to tune out Adrian's real words. In this trance, Anshik leaned forward, cooing to comfort the other, as he held his face gently, and suddenly swooped in for a full on mouth on mouth gulp of a kiss. Within seconds, Anshik was retreating again, cheeks warm and a serious expression etched into the scales, "I'd watch out for you better than that, Ade."

 

[Laine]

The three goons watched with virulent distain, occasionally murmuring between themselves as they watched Cassidy work. Neither of them really ‘assisted’ like Keve had promised – any request Cas asked of them would result in a dirty look and a threatening tap on their communication device, as if they would order Ade to be killed simply for speaking to them. It was clear they shared the distaste for Time Agents that the rest of Vos did, but knowing that they needed Cas for the mission, they were stuck with simply toying with him instead of beating him or killing him – something which Keve had told them they could do once he returned from the Uniri ship.


As Cas was sitting in the driver’s seat of the ship, Keve reappeared, carrying several pieces of the machine Olmos had given them, which had been discarded by the Time Agent before he escaped. He threw them to the dark-haired Lieutenant, licking his dried lips as he patted the shoulder of one of the thugs, “Has Petar behaved himself, Dox?” The goon smiled meanacingly at Cas for a few seconds, before murmuring something in Vosnian to him. Keve sighed in relief at the reply, and he chewed on a nail as they both chatted for a few minutes.


After he was done, he stalked up to Cassidy, looking at him with a weak grin on his face, “…Do you have everything we need, Petar?” He said, knowing full well that several vital pieces of equipment, like guns that were undetectable by tracking systems, were missing. As the Lieutenant replied, Keve pulled out the papers they had written on the previous day, re-familiarising himself with the unfinished plan they had hastily made. Infiltrate the base with a utility truck. Get to the Yusson machine through the main air vents. Reroute the machine to push them into the black hole…He paused, reshuffling the pages and frowning. Several lines had been crossed out at the end – although he could swear that they had briefly planned how they would escape from the ship. “Petar…” He murmured, waving the paper at the Lieutenant, “Did we ever discuss how we would get back to Vos after the mission…?”


***


Ade’s entire body ached, and the throbbing in his head was starting to get to him as he thought harder about the situation around them. He knew I wouldn’t have been beaten if he had stayed put…? Adrian barely suspected that the reptile was lying to him, not understanding the romantic threat his partner represented. The creature continued to stroke his head, and the auburn-haired doctor smiled at the small comfort it provided, along with the soft, persuasive voice. The slight hiss that accentuated his ‘s’s were less menacing now he had got to know Anshik, and charmed Ade into a relaxed state as he closed his eyes, although his face was still crumpled in confusion. “P-perhaps he should be, more careful…But…he was risking himself, to try and save me.” Adrian’s bare chest rose and fell shakily still, a brief smile crossing his lips as he thought about his lover, bravely risking life and death, just to see him for a brief moment.


The snake cooed again, sending Ade into a deeper and deeper state of relaxation, and he sighed heavily as the warm hands caressed his face, bringing back fond memories of his lover; his warm embrace as they shared a bed, his playful chuckle as he played a prank on him, the tense moments of seeing each other after being separated for so long…“H-he always finds a way to…get us into trouble…” Ade murmured softly, his lips creasing into a smile further still as the reptile leaned down and met his. He sighed into the kiss, so wrapped in his fantasy that he failed to notice it was happening in real life, and not with Cassidy, but with Anshik. He moaned quietly as their lips separated, the voice of the other stirring him from the giddy gaze as he opened his eyes.


Ade’s eyes widened at the creature above him, his mouth dropping as he stared at the warm, affectionate yellow eyes that were piercing his. “Ah-Anshik…” He murmured. He shifted his pale, freckled shoulders in an attempt to sit up, only to cry out in pain as he jolted his injured hand. He lay back down and held it to his chest, breathing shakily. After a few moments he whimpered softly in confusion, unsure if he'd just imagined the intimate moment between them, “W-what…was... that...?"

 

[chellemrys]

Cassidy worked relatively silently, getting the message after just one threatening look and a tap at the wristlet, that he was going to actually be working alone. He loaded materials into the ship, working silently. It pained him to lift most things, but he did so without complaint, and in a relatively quickly amount of time had everything he needed.


The Lieutenant kept working, even when Keve arrived. He was finishing up preparations for the mission when the other finished chatting, and the agent leaned against the ship, with an exhausted sigh. "Yes. We should be fine." He gingerly wiped a bead of sweat away from under his nose, careful to avoid the black and blue wreck it had become. "I just need a gun." Cas pointed out frankly, sounding matter-of-fact. "I won't be of much use unarmed." He warned, trying to make the other logically think through his point.


When Keve mentioned escaping, Cas chuckled with a small roll of his eyes, "I always wing that part." He sighed when he got a concerned look, and crossed his arms, "Look, that whole ship is going to be in chaos as the it spirals out of control towards the black hole... So, we make a mad dash to the nearest escape pod. Or, we use their beaming technology to get us on board a waiting ship your.... charming goons are manning."


****


Despite his initial relief that Adrian did not pull away, or freak out in alarm, Anshik's face fell into nervous worry at Ade's word, and thought maybe that he had acted too soon. He put a scaled hand on Adrian's, pulling him towards him again with big pleading eyes, "I'd watch out for you, better than that dangerousss agent ever could." He offered, a tiny smile gracing his lips.


He soothed the Scot, stroking his injured hand and worriedly fussing over the human, "Remember to be careful with that... I'm going to have to clean them, ssso they don't get infected." He pointed carefully to one of the raw nail beds, and grabbed the bottle of alcohol, trying to act at least a little more nonchalant. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he felt dizzy over the thought that he was being rejected. Adrian was one of the only people on this planet Anshik had met that was not complete trash, nasty, or selfish really. "You're really ssomething, Adrian."

 

[Laine]

Keve crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at the Lieutenant. You need a gun, huh? Of course, Cas was right – they would be an impossibly huge disadvantage if only one of them was armed, and that one happened to be the most experienced and refined marksman out of the two. Keve hadn’t even been to space in a number of months, and he knew the artificial gravity alone on the alien ship would take some getting used to. “Oh, yeah. I guess Dox or Para can get you one just before we reach the Uniri ship.” There was an uncertain tone in his voice as he promised the Lieutenant the weapon, knowing full well it would too be easy for Cassidy to put a bullet in his brain as soon as they were alone.


Keve raised his eyebrows, “…Wing it. To an escape pod.” He repeated the Lieutenant’s words, realising how much that escape plan resembled the one on the Iridium mission. And to his knowledge, that idea had not gone well at all. “…I think the beaming method will work better. The escape pods are the first place they’ll cut the power to when they discover us - whereas if we board by utility truck, they’ll think we have nowhere to beam to, and won’t realise what we’re doing until it’s too late.” Keve murmured. And that way, I’ll be well-guarded as soon as we leave the Uniri ship. He thought to himself with a reassuring grin.


He petted the dashboard of the ship, lighting a voff, before cautiously handing one to his former comrade. He knew that Cassidy was in poor condition for the mission – both physically and emotionally – and that he needed every ounce of strength Keve would provide for what was about to unfold. “Here. It’ll make you feel better.” He grinned, lighting it for him. He had seemingly forgotten about the promise for Cas to see Adrian before they left, and as he tossed the empty voff onto the ground of the hangar, he busied himself making takeoff preparations, “Let’s get moving, Petar. The faster we get there, the faster it’s over with.” Keve’s voice was tinged with a combination of nervousness and excitement.


-----------------


Adrian’s original thought of the kiss being imaginary was confirmed when Anshik didn’t mention it, his facial expression unchanging as he questioned him. He narrowed his eyes at the comment regarding Cas, not sure if Anshik was joking or being serious. Didn’t you surrender as soon as Cas showed up…? He though suspiciously. But he let it go as the reptile focused on the now bleeding finger, and Ade recoiled as he saw the bottle of rubbing alcohol, knowing it would be pure agony when it was poured on.


“N-no, Anshik. P-please, let me do it.” He whispered, holding his hand out to take the bottle. He uncapped it with the side of his hand, with some difficulty – the missing fingernails made holding anything a painful struggle and his hands shook terribly. “On Earth, I’m a d-doctor. It’s n-nothing, really.” He brushed off the reptile’s glowing comment, feeling slightly embarrassed that he seemed so enthralled with him.


Ade once again shuffled to sit up, realising the alcohol would spill over him if he tipped it from the angle he was at. He slowly eased his head off the reptile’s lap, eventually sitting up, leaning on Anshik’s shoulder for support as he focused on treating his wound – perhaps trying a little too hard to appear brave. He held the hand up – the same, mangled mess that Cas had fractured – and tipped the rim of the bottle so it was directly over the finger that was now oozing blood and pus. Ade took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes as he tipped it more, so the liquid gathered at the neck, but a combination of nervousness for the incoming pain and shakiness in his left hand made it slosh back in. After half a minute or so of trying to psych himself up for it, Ade grunted in frustration, pushing the bottle towards Anshik. “H-ere. You do it, Ansh.” The auburn-haired human braced himself by turning his head away, into the reptile’s own shoulder, squeezing his eyes shut and shivering in anticipation. “J-just make it quick, Okay?” He murmured through gritted teeth.

 

[chellemrys]

Cas knew the weapon would be an unavoidable asset to the mission; there was absolutely no way Keve could expect him to manage without a weapon to kill. He crossed his arms, impatiently waiting for the reply. He nodded afterwards, knowing that reply was coming. An internal sigh of relief, and Cas began to wait- waiting for the gift of seeing Adrian. He had been thinking of it the entire time he was working, despite being so busy.


Taking the voff with a hesitant motion, he lit it hastily once it was safely in his hand, and he drew in a sharp breath, happily tilting his head back as the fumes filled his nostrils and the drug shot straight to his brain. "Mm..." He groaned, eyes fluttering shut as the pain in his muscles began to dull, and his mind began to feel more rested, despite all that being artificial.


At Keve's hasty order, his eyes flew open, looking like he had just been slapped. He wiped the expression off his face, and politely, trying to remain civil, whispered a reminder that Keve was forgetting about something. "I just loaded this... By myself, I might add, and you meant to trick me?" He did not trust Keve, but he became hostile at the notion that the agent was toying now with his emotions. Despite him simply forgetting, he was too used to the latter to think otherwise.


***


Anshik let Adrian take the supplies, and leaned back to watch. He grinned, "Dr. Adrian?" He whispered, suppressing a giggle as his mind flew to the other's personal life, possibly saving lives or finding cures to diseases, helping people. Despite Ade's job mostly being paperwork, he enjoyed imaging his obsession in such a position, being something more than a hostage he just got to spend time with. Adrian was something big to Anshik; the more he found out, the more he liked the other.


The reptile put a hand on Ade's back, to support him as he sat up. He's trying to be braver. He thought, with a sort of hope for Adrian, glad he was trying to be independent. But, the 'doctor' faltered, and Anshik grabbed the bottle cautiously, knowing he had to aide the other. "Well... Obviously, it'ssh gonna feel bad. Jusst," He poured the alcohol onto his scaly hand, and rubbed it around so it soaked his palm, "Hold my hand, okay?" He reached down for one of Adrian's hands, and clutched it so his fingers entered the tiny pool his had balanced on the scales, and it poured down out from between the two appendages. He held on harder as the other tensed and yowled, and rubbed Ade's back with a free hand, "It's really hard to be brave, I know." He reassured the other, knowing he shared a lot in common with Adrian. The only reason he was here was fate, and circumstance, not a desire to live dangerously at all.

 

[Laine]

“Hmm? Trick you?” Keve murmured absentmindedly, not really listening as he fumbled about, finally pressing a switch. A loud whirring sound began as the internal engines started up, gradually heating up the external engines of the ship so they could take off within less than half an hour. The ship was old, and rattled as it stirred into life, a cue for Keve’s trio of goons to also file onboard the ship. They stared at Cas defiantly, plopping themselves on a sofa at the back and chattering amongst themselves. The Keve turned to Cas, his expression furrowing as he saw the Lieutenant’s eye twitch. “My boys said they helped you, Petar. Get off your high horse and focus on the mission.”


He tried to budge past the driver’s seat on the ship to reach another button, and grunted as Cas stayed put, his arms crossed. Keve shoved the chair again, a smirk on his face as the Lieutenant’s irritated expression mirrored that of a child that had his favourite toy taken from him. He still did not budge, which was when the message finally hit Keve. “Oh, fuck. Right. Your boyfriend.” He let out a half snigger, realising it had completely slipped his mind. He rolled his eyes, barking an order at the three goons to continue the preparations, before tugging on the other’s jacket, reluctantly pulling him out of the ship.


They paced quickly through Keve’s house, passing by the multitude of suspicious goons without so much as a greeting, the blond Time Agent grumbling into his hopper as they advanced towards the car. “You’d better be grateful for this.” He murmured threateningly over his shoulder to Cassidy, as another goon opened the door well, well in advance of Keve arriving. He hadn’t yet decided whether Cas would see Ade again after this meeting; now it was looking more and more likely that the best outcome would be for him to kill the Time Agent as soon as the mission was over. As the car speedily pulled away in the direction of The Yellow Box, Keve contorted his face in irritation, hoping that at least Cassidy would be focused and co-operative after he got to see his battered love one more time.


***


“Fff-fuck, fuck f-uck!” Adrian’s pained screams immediately filled the room as his wound came in contact with the alcohol, and he arched his back, leaning into Anshik’s other hand as he stroked in an attempt to soothe him. The hand that was surrounded in the reptile’s shook violently in protest, and the doctor had to take deep, exaggerated breaths to prevent himself from hitting out at the other, even though he knew what he was doing was necessary.


Moments later, as the other peeled his scaled fingers away, Ade winced at the sight of his own bruised, mangled hand, groaning at the firey agony that seemed to radiate off it. “Ah-ahh-shit-” He grumbled, cradling the arm to his chest once again, his whole body continuing to tremble against Anshik’s hand. He sniffed quietly to himself in self-pity, whimpering back to Anshik, trying to distract himself from the pain, “Y-you’re right. I’m nowhere near as brave as Cas is. I try but- but-ach-” he grunted briefly again, shuffling awkwardly closer to the other as he tried to settle into a comfortable position again, “-but I always end up being the…d-damsel in distress, you know?”


His heart froze in his chest as he suddenly heard the sound of heavy footsteps above him, with several loud voices yelling, each competing to make themselves heard. He looked up, eyes widened as the footsteps seemed to turn this way and that, before hurriedly making their way downwards, towards his holding cell. Panic overcame him, and his chest started to tighten as he imagined his captor, Keve - or even worse, Zise - just outside his door, ready to inflict more punishment upon him. Ade whimpered meekly, recoiling from the door as he feared the worst, hoping for the sake of his bruised flesh that Cas had not made the same mistake, and betrayed Keve twice.

 

[chellemrys]

Cassidy breathed in relief when the ex-agent remembered, and he narrowed his eyes in caution as Keve pulled him by the coat out of the ship. He hastily followed Keve, really anticipating seeing Adrian. Keve was right, Adrian could not have actually meant all those things, he just wanted the torture to stop. They hurt, and he mildly doubted Adrian for a couple hours- but he had to get over that and rescue his love, no matter what. Adrian cared, he believed, and so he still loved him, and wanted to see him greatly.


The Lieutenant was silently, unless spoken to, all the way to the yellow box compound. The trip made him nervous, however, despite his earlier decision that the other could not have meant it. He did not want to see what he was responsible for afflicting Cas with. The torture was terrible, and he knew the sight would more than likely make him angry and sick. He descended the stairs in the compound, once escorted inside, leading the way frantically.


About halfway down the stairs, he began to hear the loud shouts. The agent's eyes became shocked saucers, and he flew down the rest of the stairs, yanking the door at the bottom open to take in the scene.


**


Anshik winced as the other shouted, trying to ease his pain with soft shushes and whispers that he would be fine. He knew this had to be done, but it pained the reptile to inflict any sort of pain on Adrian, so he tried looking away as he grabbed the other hand, and quickly did the disinfection to the opposite hand, being much quicker this time.


He stared down at the Scot on his chest, and began tracing the other's outer edge of his face, before zoning out once more at the feel of Adrian's warmth against him. He squeezed one of his hands, and leaned towards Adrian, deciding to play at a low game, "I'm sssure Casss hates that." He commented, pointing out that Cas and Ade were like polar opposites. "I'd hate to dissapoint a persson with sssuch high ssstandards."


He was so absorbed in the reality of the situation, that he did not pay attention to the descending party, "Heh, damsssel in distress is right." He whispered, before adding a big more alcohol into his palm, He took Ade's other had, pouring the alcohol into his hand again, before grabbing on and watching Ade try to stop from thrashing about.


Directly after that moment, Cas burst in like a bull read to charge at the party. But what he found shocked him, and stopped him. Anshik slowly sat up, inching away from Adrian and letting his hand goes. While Cas stayed put, seeming in shock as he stared at his boyfriend, huddled against a reptile's chest, faces close together, and acting totally vulnerable.


His eye twitched, and the Lieutenant whispered something hardly audible to himself. Cas' mind began racing, and he blanked out for a few moments, hands lazily hanging there- his mouth half open. That was, directly before Cas clenched his hands into fists, and he stared at the situation for nearly thitry seconds, "Adrian... Mason..." He breathed in angry disbelief, shaking his head trying to remain calm as possible, trying to clear the image, "What in Helmi do you think you are doing?!"

 

[Laine]

Keve shook his head sadly, almost gravely, pulling the jet-black feline backwards by the ear, away from that stairwell that led to Adrian’s cell. “Petar wouldn’t dare try anything this time, Zise.” He murmured, lighting a voff and puffing on it wistfully. As the muscular figure beside him struggled to argue, Keve merely cocked an eyebrow, puffing the vapour in his face. “He has seven minutes. If you go down there after that time and find anything awry, you have my permission to beat that Time Agent’s sorry ass and kill the hostage when you’re done. So settle down.” Zise scrambled towards the door, pausing just as he reached it, the veins on his hands standing on end as he processed the information. In the end he grunted and folded his arms, realising that Keve was giving him a golden, beautiful opportunity, if he could just wait less than ten minutes. He tapped his foot impatiently, counting the seconds in his head with a rare smirk on his face.


------


The doctor recoiled against his captor as more alcohol was added, biting his lip and burying his head into Anshik’s shoulder. “Shhiit.” He gasped, the pain a welcome distraction from the fear he felt from the feet descending the stairs. As the door burst open, Ade slowly opened one eyelid, his breath catching in his throat as he saw his dishevelled lover standing there, for a second time. He felt Anshik shuffle away from him, dropping his hand and staring at the other cautiously, while Adrian remained totally still, his own eyes wide in disbelief. Even as he called his name, the appearance of the Time Agent seemed like an illusion, or a bad joke at least. “C-C-Cassidy?!” He stammered as a sense of panic began to take over, “W-what are you-..?!”


Ade slowly shook his head, his injured hand coming gingerly to rest on the cot he and Anshik were sitting on. The Lieutenant’s hands curled into fists – why, Ade could not understand, unable to see the intimate situation between he and Anshik from his perspective. Terrifying images of his recent torture began to fill his mind, and his body began to violently shudder as the premise of undergoing it all over again not two hours later hit him. To him, it seemed that Cassidy wouldn’t be allowed visitation by Keve, and so Cas could only be there for one reason – another attempt to try and free him, which would undoubtedly would go wrong once they were discovered. Perhaps Keve even set a trap for him, to see if he would do it again…? He thought to himself. The frightened, words tumbled out of his mouth before he had a chance to think about them, “Qu-quick, y-you have to go, before Keve-” he said, choking up at the name. The footsteps began again upstairs, and Ade felt his stomach lurch painfully.


Ade struggled to his feet as both his lover and Anshik remained unmoving, whimpering and gasping as his knees barely held his weight. Both arms, burning in agony from the alcohol treatment, hung like dead weights either side of him. His bruised, bare chest moved spasmically as his breathing became more and more erratic with worry, and he leaned forward, his words getting louder and more desperate, “W-why are you just standing there?!...Don’t you r-realise Keve will have – have me beaten again if he sees you here?!”

 

[chellemrys]

Cas' face slowly slipped from worry, which originally was the feeling he had upon entering, to a dark, inner rage. His eyes were narrowed, his fists clenched, lips in a tight line, all while his breathing began to get louder. He slowly took a few steps forward, towards the Scot, who had now leapt to his feet. He seemed panicked, and the initial thought that came to Cas' head was a really large misconception. He was caught, now he's nervous.





With an inner yell of fury, he looked directly at Anshik, only causing his anger to build when he observed that the alien was not even human. He was dreadfully confused; Adrian was upset that Cas was not a girl when they met, but he was at least a human. Adrian could not even eat alien food without getting all picky and disgusted; how is there any way at all that he is being unfaithful, so soon, with an ALIEN.





The Time Agent spat his reply, fire-filled eyes now moving to glare at Adrian, "I'm allowed here for seven minutes." That was all the explanation he was willing to give at the moment; he wanted to cross his arms, to hide his shaking fists, but was so angry that he could not bring himself to do it. "Why so fucking flustered?" He hissed, sounding more like a snake than Anshik ever could. He had tried to sound innocent, but bewildered thoughts were racing through his mind, as he tried to find some conclusion. He is afraid of aliens. He can't even eat my food, let alone kiss a reptilian man. But he is so flustered, he is hiding something, thought I would not catch him. He does not even know this man! He obviously just met him, just.





Cassidy's eyebrow lifted as a final thought came to him: He really doesn't appreciate you any more. This is defiance, or him abandoning you. The thought only struck a raw nerve, making his fists turn into tense, clawed hands, "Mind explaining yourself?" He whispered, a look of murder in his eyes as they flashed between the reptilian alien and Adrian.


***


Anshik had scrambled to the other side of the cot, acting partly like they were not just in an intimate situation. The reptile's face was twisted into mild horror, and he avoided looked at the agent. As Cas began interrogating the other, he glanced over at the two, and met eyes with the murderous ones of Cas, and he pressed himself in fear against the wall, heart beating wildly. You know, you didj say you would protect Adrian, and you can't even deal with his boyfriend. Anshim gulped at the thought, though, adding: Time agent boyfriend.





The reptile passively sat at the side, praying for Cas to go away. A hate was slowly building towards the other- he had ruined the situation, and before he had brought Keve's fury onto Adrian. This guy was nothing but dangerous, stupid, and downright malignant.

 

[Laine]

Adrian let out a sigh of relief as he found out that Cas was allowed to be there, and a weak smile dawned on his face. He took a shaky step towards his lover, spreading his arms slightly for an embrace, “You are…? C-Cas, that’s great, I’ve been wanting…to apologise for…for what I said…and…and ask…if…you…” He trailed off, unsure as to why the Lieutenant was practically shaking with fury, his fists digging into his palms they were so tightly clenched.


“Flustered?” The doctor stammered the word in the most flustered way possible, severely confused as he stood frozen at the side of the room. “I’m – I’m not, Cas, I’m really happy to see-” He followed the other’s eyes to the reptile still sitting on the bed, and he gasped, staggering over and putting himself between Cas and Anshik, holding his arms up weakly in defence.


“W-wait, Cas, don’t, please! He’s a nice guy, really.” Ade spoke innocently, suspecting that Cas was going to hit out at Anshik for punching Adrian earlier. “He was just doing what Keve was telling him to…He’s been taking good care of me, ever since,” He continued to blabber, of course having no idea that he was merely exaggerating the imaginary romance between the two in Cas’ mind. “He was just fixing my wounds for me, that’s all. He wasn’t hurting me on purpose – we were just sitting on the cot and – look, look,” Ade held up the raw, red finger that had been doused in alcohol, showing how it was clean and had stopped bleeding. The Lieutenant didn’t look like he was buying the explanation, and Adrian huffed in exasperation, shaking his head, “I was just coming around, and we were just sitting on the cot, talking about you, and how brave you were for trying to save me,” He took a step towards to his love, able to see close up his physical anger – the sweat on his brow, the twitching of the eyes, his shaking fists surrounded by pulsing veins, “And then, y-you - “


Ade cut himself off, gasping abruptly at the realisation. Suddenly, the fantasy he was so enraptured in when they kissed shattered as he realised Cas could not have possibly been there for the vital, intimate moment – only Anshik. He finally stepped outside the situation, seeing it for what it really was; he, only half clothed, badly injured and barely conscious, and Anshik, fascinated with his prisoner, attempting to soothe him with poison words about the lover that had seemingly betrayed him. And as the auburn-haired doctor had guiltily fantasised about his partner forgiving him, the reptile had leaned forward and taken the opportunity to steal an embrace from his lips.


Ade turned to look at the reptile slowly, murmuring in disbelief, “…You kissed me, Anshik…” A wave of nausea hit Ade as he spoke, and he turned back to Cas, a fearful look in his eye for the first time since they had been together. Without even knowing it, Ade had cheated on his lover, with an alien stranger, and to add insult to injury, he had now admitted it to the one it would hurt most.

 

[chellemrys]

Cassidy listened to the blabbering, and on his end it looked like he was panicking, trying to cover up the situation, and put a bandaid on Cas' new emotional wound, which was festering like his anger. "Flustered." He repeated back, like a matter of fact mocking bird.


He took another step forward, towards Anshik. He looked ready to tear him to pieces, and the reptile flattened against the wall behind the cot. Ade stepped between them, and Cas spat, "Apparently, yes, he does take care of you quite well." He mocked, in a caustic voice of sarcasm.


The Lieutenant was fuming, he looked like if someone threw a bucket of water on him, his skin would hiss like his tone, and steam would rise to the ceiling. Adrian defended the reptile, making the darker man angrier, and his tense, claw like hands flexed, imaging the feeling of Anshik's face buried under his nails, being rained with blows.


Anshik, through all this, sat nervously, twiddling his thumbs and keeping his head down. He was too much a coward to actually stand for his new found love, and that was very apparent to Cas, who muttered in a biting manner, "Good choice, staying behind him." Anshik's eyes flew up, eyes terrified, and he swallowed as he met the almost black eyes, which were boring into him.


At the exclamation, Cas' eyebrows flew up, and he moved his hands, putting then on his waist, "Oh! So there's that too." He had heard the apology, but it seemed disingenuous next to his actions. "I don't know why you are acted so surprised." His heart had sunk at Adrian's sudden realization, but his fury stayed like hard rock on all parts of his body, like it was carved into his features, hands, and demeanor. Cas stepped closer, to the side, but Adrian stepped to the side too, arms out wide in defense of the alien. "I hope you're a necrophile, as well as sleazy." He hissed, causing Anshik to whimper in terror behind them, and press himself against the wall even harder, if possible.

 

[Laine]

Ade cast a look at the sheepishly terrified reptile as Cas growled threateningly at him, his face still furrowed in confusion. ‘Why did you kiss me…?’ was one of the many questions he was dying to ask, but it wasn’t the time, or the place. They had only a brief few minutes together, and there was no knowing to Ade when he would next get to see his lover. Adrian snapped his head around to look at Cassidy, looking slightly scared. “Cas, please, try to calm down.” There were tiny rivulets of sweat running down his forehead and rosy cheeks, from both the heat of the room, and the stress of the situation he found himself in.


“I didn’t mean to kiss him…he kissed me, Cassidy. I was barely awake when it happened – which is why I struggled to remember it.” His voice took on a forced calm tone, as he desperately tried to diffuse the situation before their time ran out. He felt uncomfortable calling poor, frightened Anshik out on the act, but at that time Cas knowing the truth was more important. “He didn’t mean anything by it. I don’t mean anything by it.” Ade shook his head, the voices muttering upstairs through the floorboards prompting him to shuffle awkwardly forward towards his lover, blocking Anshik completely out of his view. He shakingly raised his hands to Cas’ face, careful not to touch his cheeks for fear of getting pushed away or tweaking his already painful fingertips, or both.


He stared into Cas’ dark eyes with intense, pleading emerald ones, licking his cracked lips before he spoke, “I love you, Cassidy.” He breathed softly, a serious tone in his voice, “No amount of …kidnapping or beating…or space-travelis going to change that.” Deep down, perhaps he still did harbour some grudge against his lover for being so stupid – for wanting adventure so bad he put both of their lives at risk, and so being so blindly loyal and affectionate to him he was desperate to rescue him, even if it ended in Ade getting savagely beaten. This did not show through in his voice as he pleaded with Cassidy, however, and he closed the gap between them, resting his forehead on the other’s, “I’m – I’m sorry, Ok?”


After a few moments, he pulled his head slowly away, sighing in relief – the Lieutenant’s features had softened, although he still looked like he could tear Anshik apart if given half the chance. Ade chuckled as a thought came to him, recognising his partner’s feelings of jealousy as he seethed, “Besides, weren’t you making out with Keve the other day…?”

 

[chellemrys]

Cas had the mind to murder Anshik, but Adrian moving close to him wiped away just a tinge of the anger, and a bit more when he whispered the sweet words. He looked down and away, bit his lip. A tiny snarl still bore into his face, eyebrows pulled down. But he listened carefully, and eventually looked back up at the taller party. His shaking lessened when Ade's forehead came down to rest against his, and Cas consciously was careful their noses did not meet, because his was now looking like crumbled paper.


Adrian was correct about one thing, he would pounce on the other, if ever given the chance. He would probably come close to killing the reptile. Anshik knew this; he was not fooled by the eased demeanor Cas now held, so he stayed pressed to the wall, ready to jump up and run at any moment. Cas didn't acknowledge the apology, or accept it aloud. His eye twitched at it instead, and he crossed his arms, shaking his head in disbelief. When Keve was brought up, he backed away from Adrian, "That's different. So different. Firstly, he was not an enemy back then. Unlike... Snake-skin boots over there. And plus, I know Keve. I have for a long time. Unlike fanged freak. And lastly, remember how upset you were at finding out I was a, you know, well- he's not even human. You fucking can't even eat foods from the future." He was spitting the words, scowling as he looked Anshik up and down, holding a scornful contempt for the other.

 

[Laine]

Ade’s eyes narrowed, and he swayed to the side to break Cas’ line of sight with the reptile once again. His partner’s anger was beginning to irritate him more and more by the minute, “So it’s worse because Anshik is a stranger and not strictly human, rather than a long-lost friend who turns out to be a raging psychopath? Oh sure, Cas, that makes a lot of sense.” He huffed in exasperation, glaring at the dark-skinned Lieutenant. Their precious minutes of togetherness was ticking by, and Cassidy was wasting it on threatening his captor and scolding his Ade like a child. “Like I said, it’s not exactly like I was begging for it. Or that Ienjoyed it, for that matter.”


Ade also took a step back – perhaps a mistake, as it looked like he was taking Anshik’s side – and gestured at the reptile with his slightly less painful left hand, “I think you need to remember, that this whole situation, along with this-“ He growled, pointing to the earless side of his head, his auburn curls still lightly stained with blood, “-nor this, or this-” he held up his fractured hand and pointed to his bare, heavily bruised chest in turn, “-would never have happened if you had simply listened to me. I asked you to take me home, but no, you wanted adventure and excitement.” He said.


His frustration was starting to show, and he started shaking again as he spoke, still uneasy on his bruised, weakened legs. Perhaps he would’ve gone easier on Cas had he known that Keve had him trapped on Vos from the very beginning, but he didn’t, and so he continued to raise his voice at the Lieutenant, sweat still dripping from his brow. “You let Keve drag me here to this – this shithole of a planet, pushing me aside and not telling me what was going on, even though you know how much space terrifies me. I still don’t know how or why he’s keeping you there.”


Ade swallowed a sob that caught in his throat, “I got beaten within an inch of my life, for you, and all you seem to care about is whether or not Anshik – the only alien I’ve met who even speaks my language – has so much as looked at me. In fact - why did you even bother coming down here, when you could’ve saved the energy? I’m sure if you asked the black beast upstairs to slap me in the face a few times you would’ve gotten the same effect. Or perhaps you were looking to taunt me in person, and show me all the fun you're having?” The doctor seethed, painful tears pricking his eyes as he spoke.

 

[chellemrys]

The Lieutenant's face darkened completely again, hearing the soft tone Ade previously held was completely gone. The shorter one growled in his throat, "Yes, it is worse. Because when that happened, I did not think I was being kidnapped really, and he was not a raging psychopath yet!" He whispered, and crossed his arms, "Besides, since when do you follow 51st century cultural ideals. You don't believe in them." He hissed, before rolling his eyes. He had not even been upset about the kiss before, he was upset when he walked in on Adrian, putty in Anshik's hands, and laying in his arms, being close to the stranger.


He honestly felt more threatened, because of the recent events. Being told he was not loved, that Adrian did not care for him, that he hated him. Despite the apology, he felt in danger around Anshik, like he could convince Adrian he was dangerous, or reign his human in to his side. When he was blamed for the whole situation, his eyes widened, and he stepped back a bit further. "Twinsies." He lifted his own hair, smiling bitterly as he revealed his own missing ear, "Wonder where they got that idea, they are so creative. It got ripped off by a piece of shrapnel, in combat. Then I came to rescue you." Helpless, fucking, stupid, pathetic you. He thought, only holding back his words because he wished to be at least a little bigger than Ade in this situation. Cas overall looked worse for wear; still donning dirty clothes, and sporting a yellowish bruised nose, with a missing ear and a tongue that was more or less missing its tip, he was extremely sorry looking.


Cassidy clenched one of his fists, arms still crossed. His head tilted back, eyes looking up at the ceiling briefly as Adrian complained about the situation. He brought his head back down, closing his eyes and taking a deep, deep breath, letting silence take over the air. You do not have any idea, I guess, what I've done for you. He nodded, clipping the ends of his words, "Yep, that's exactly what I'm doing," Whispering with biting sarcasm. He turned his head to the side, looking Adrian over with a single eye. He took a good look at his injuries, caring even thought they were deep in an argument. The agent couldn't help but frown, and he shifted uncomfortably as the words began to nip at his current weakness, that he actually had been the fault of this situation, had hurt the other, and now he was going to leave him, like the others had before, because of what he thought his own fault.


The Lieutenant's fists began to shake, and his breathing intensified. He desperately tried to seem indifferent to the other's words, keeping up his sarcasm with a wavering voice, "I'm having tons of fun, A-Ade." Obviously, the agent was under huge amounts of stress, as his stature was beginning to decompose, along with his confident voice, that was previously present. "Helmi, just absolute t-tons."

 

[Laine]

Adrian was still wistful and angry as he listened to Cas’ cutting sarcasm, but he wilted as his braver, far stronger partner’s voice seemed to creak and falter suddenly. He hadn’t yet seen the tattered ear barely hanging off the side of his head, and he found himself craning his eyes over to look at it, tinged with concern over whether or not it was infected. The doctor shook his head at the last comment, detecting the fearful stutter in Cassidy’s voice, and took a deep, troubled sigh. What have we got ourselves into?


“…Look. We can think-” Ade began, in a calmer, softer voice, but was interrupted as the door behind Cas was practically smashed out of it’s frame. Behind it stood a muscular, dark-haired beast with a triumphant smile, whom reached over and grabbed Cassidy by the shoulder. “Time’s up, lover boy. Keve’s waiting.” Zise growled. He wrenched the dark-haired Lieutenant backwards, taking advantage of the situation to painfully dig his claws into Cassidy’s flesh. Ade felt his chest tighten as he saw his lover disappearing out of the door, having said nothing he had meant to say when they next met. “W-wait,” He stammered without thinking. Zise’s face snapped towards his, and the auburn-haired man recoiled as he found the familiar burning yellow eyes staring defiantly at him. Zise released his grip on the Time Agent, pushing past him with a wide grin on his face.


With a single swing of his enormous arm, the jet black creature pinned Adrian to his wall by his neck, pressing hard on his throat so his breath escaped as a harsh hiss throughout the room. Adrian’s emerald eyes widened, and he flailed his arms at the creature, doing more damage to his bruised fingertips and wrist as he feebly to push him away. Zise allowed him to struggle for a few seconds, knowing Cassidy was powerless to intervene, before slamming his elbow harder into Ade’s neck, cutting the air supply off completely. “At least we’re going to have some fun, while Petar is away.” Zise growled, enjoying feel of the pale flesh trembling and spasming beneath him. He stroked Ade’s face with his free hand, painfully tracing the open ear-wound with a dark claw. “This suits you. Perhaps I can snack on the other one later, hmm?” Adrian’s whole head had flushed red from the lack of oxygen, and he cried out silently in anguish, his eyes shifting over to his lover pleadingly.


The feline followed Ade’s eyes, turning his head and resting his gaze on Cassidy, who was still stood in the doorway. He partially released his grip on the other, allowing him to take a deep, desperate breath. They both eyed the Lieutenant, but only Zise spoke, “Beat it, Time Agent. I said Keve’s waiting.”

 

[chellemrys]

Cassidy looked down at the floor when Adrian began, listening carefully. He stiffened as the hand came down on his shoulder, and he yelped as he was wrenched backwards. He caught his balance, and landed gracefully on his feet after the sharp pull and stumble backwards, but after simply stood there, a look of disappointment spreading across his features. That had not exactly been the ideal visit, but time was up.


What he could not put up with, however, was what Zise did to Adrian next. The Scot did not exactly know the consequences of the time limit, and upon hearing Zise's nasty words towards Ade, he felt sick, and couldn't allow it. His eyes met Adrian's, and he began thinking quick through his options. Within seconds, Cassidy wore a smug smile, and he said in a genuine tone, "Helmi, you are so strong." He approached Zise, and grabbed his shoulder gently, "I think I'll need you on the mission; we need someone there to intimidate the uniri. We're leaving now, so you had better hurry to get ready." He paused, knowing he had to also take care of Keve, "Keve!" He called loudly, "Plan update!"

 

[Laine]

The stupid beast was easily flattered by the comment, and narrowed his eyes with a further grin at Cassidy. “I know, Time Agent scum,” The creature growled, flexing his muscles under the Lieuteannt’s hands, “I could snap your neck like a dry reed,” The creature’s ears pricked at the sound of a mission, and he sniffed “Of course I would intimidate them. The Uniri are a bunch of hairless cowards, like humans,” He looked again at Adrian, slamming him into the wall a few times to make him cry out in terror. The creature considered the hurried proposition, but shook his head, dropping Adrian onto the ground. The doctor lay still, in pain and confused by what was going on, since they were all speaking in Universal Tongue.


“I am the latchboss here. I have a duty to…take care of the hostages Keve sends me.” Zise said. Although he was intrigued to go to space – especially to destroy a hated species – he didn’t want to be taken away from his pale plaything, nor the vast band of goons he controlled in the area. At that moment, Keve stumbled into the room, panting hard from flying down the stairs. At the sound of ‘plan update!’ and Adrian’s screams, he assumed the Lieutenant had gone AWOL and started another escape attempt, and so he was relieved to find Cassidy calmly standing behind Zise, his hand on his shoulder. “What’s this, Petar? I said we’re leaving now,” Keve hissed.


Zise turned around, a smug grin on his face, “The human asked me to join the mission. He said my muscles would be indispensable.” He said, and Keve frowned at the Lieutenant. Indispensible cannon-fodder, perhaps. But, caring little for the hot-headed creature and wanting no more resistance from Cassidy, Keve shrugged, patting him on the shoulder and pushing him out the door. “Whatever. We’ll take him if you think we need him. But we need to get going, now.”


Zise seemed pleased by this outcome, and he smacked his lips in a fake-kiss at the auburn-haired doctor on the ground, giving him an affectionate goodbye kick to the ribs. The jet-black creature growled to Anshik as he left the room, a threatening look in his eyes, “Keve has promised the whelp’s life to me. Ensure he is alive when I return, or I’ll rip your scales off, one by one.”

 

[chellemrys]

Cas silently hoped that his plan would not backfire, that Keve would fall for the trick, and Adrian would be left alone. He stood back, quite smug as Zise explained the situation, in his favor. He nodded afterwards, agreeing with what was said, "Absolutely indispensable." If he could get Zise to come with them, he would not be able to terrorize the poor Scot while Cas was away.


The Lieutenant silently congratulated himself for his quick handiwork, after Keve agreed that they would take Zise, and he looked back to Ade, beginning to back out of the room, waving slowly. He now wore a grimace, knowing they were parting on a bad note, "Hey," He whispered, "I'll more than likely be back, so hands off snake-boy." He hissed towards Anshik, before halting in the doorway, Keve impatiently waiting behind him as his eyes softened a tinge, and he pointed at Adrian, "More than likely, gonna be back." He backed completely out, and Zise exited, slamming the door as they hurried up the stairs.

 

[Laine]

Adrian’s emerald eyes followed his lover as he backed out of the room, his lips softly tracing the words ‘more than likely…?’ as the door slammed shut. He lay there for a few seconds, slowly gathering his breath, before sliding up the wall. He purposely avoided the gaze of Anshik as he shuffled over to cot, sitting down on it and resting his head in his still-shaking hands.


Less than ten minutes later, Keve, Cassidy and Zise all squeezed out of the car, speedwalking towards the back of his house, where a hangar opened up into a dusty, makeshift runway that Keve’s goons had put together over the past few days. As they were preparing to leave, more and more subordinates of Keve were arriving. They practically shouted questions in Vosnian at him as he tried to finalize the plans with Cassidy, although he was able to swiftly reply to most of them by the time the doors were closing.


The ship they were on – Keve, Cassidy and Zise– was small and old, probably the same size as the one Cas had used when initially transporting Ade to Andromeda. It was cramped with the three of them in there; Keve sat in the driver’s seat and Zise took up the entire couch, closing his eyes as if he was taking a nap. This Cassidy standing awkwardly at the sidelines as the ship prepared to take off.


Keve scrunched up his face at the ancient control pad, a hand resting on his chin as he hovered a finger over several of the buttons. He chuckled nervously as Cassidy watched him, clicking his tongue against his teeth impatiently, “Haha. Long time since I last did this, Petar.” He finally chose a button, which didn’t even press down all the way, and had absolutely no effect on the ship whatsoever. Breathing intensely through his nose, he waved his hands at Cassidy, shouting in frustration, “Damn cheap piece of space junk! You try.” He said, sitting back in the seat and lighting a voff.

 

[chellemrys]

Cassidy let the goons lead him all over the place, ordering him this way, and that way, and he tried his bestSoon to simply go along with it. Once on the ship, and flying towards the Uniri base above Vos, he felt a bit tense, and mildly excited for the mission. Adventure was his forte, his element, his passion, but there was always the risk he would not come back some day, or something awful could happen- like on the Iridium mission. But these newer missions were different; he had to live to come back to Adrian, otherwise the other would be stuck here on Vos. It was a matter of living for the sake of survival, and living for the sake of someone else, and it made the job much tougher.


He held back a snicker when Keve could not figure out the controls, and he shook his head, "Poor ship." He cooed, stepping up to the controls, "Well, get up then." He was actually a decent flyer, and he loved to fly in general. He pushed Keve out of the seat gently, with his hip, and sat down to man the controls. The Lieutenant was more adept at controlling the ship than Keve; he easily controlled all the buttons, despite the fight they had given Keve. Soon they were manually speeding towards Uniri, being flown surprisingly by Cas.


As they approached, Cas looked to Keve, "Remember- gun." He whispered, going silent as a question from the Uniri base was phoned in: Utility crew, we were expecting you. For security reasons, identify yourself.

 

[Laine]

Keve shuffled up from the chair, his arms folded in satisfaction that his heavy investment in Cassidy had already started to pay off. He shrugged as the Lieutenant whispered to him, “Yeah, yeah, you’ll get your gun.” He murmured. They had no time to take it further, however, as the Uniri base demanded details of them, and Keve shuffled under the control panel, pulling out a dusty manual for the ship and leaning over to talk into the receiver. “We are a…drone ship…serial number…47-23-63…estate class. Three personnel on board. Two humans, one grawlix. Permission to enter.”


There was a pause at the other side, and indistinct chattering could be heard in the background. “…Is the grawlix a Vosnian native?” The reply finally came, and Keve shot a dirty look at Cassidy. Oh, great idea, bringing Zise. He shook his head, putting on the best casual voice he could, despite the stress he was under, “Negative. He is a utility domesticate.” The jet-black feline twitched and grumbled on the couch, at the mention of the polite term for slave. There was another pause from the Uniri, before a green light flashed on the dashboard, and the reply came through, “Permission granted. Please dock in Utility Bay 4.”


Keve waved at Cassidy to take control of the ship again. As he did so, he tugged at the belt at his waist, pulling out a standard-issue plasma gun and sliding it over to the Lieutenant. He narrowed his eyes as the ship pulled into the docking bay, glad at least that they hadn’t attracted any attention by poor driving, yet.

 

[chellemrys]

Cassidy held his breath as the Uniri considered the grawlix, praying and hoping they would simply accept the Vosnian. A breath slipped out, a silent sigh of relief, when the Uniri granted clearance to the ship. He nodded at the wave, and drove the ship gracefully forward. It was much easier to land on a ship, with contained oxygen fields, air pressurizers, and shields, because it meant the driver did not have to worry about such things, like when landing on a planet. All planet landings, like the ones Adrian had experienced, were quite rough because of the intense changes the ship was going through, that the pilot had to monitor and react to.


He held one hand out when he saw Keve take the gun from his belt, and he quickly took it and tucked it into his pants, under the looser t-shirt. The shield plating on the front of the ship, for star radiation, began to rise as they entered the safety of the ships shields, making the driver and Keve visible to the Uniri. Through the comm they directed Cas through certain areas of the ship, the designated landing area they needed to be in.


As he was driving, Cas noticed from the corner of his eye a Uniri wearing combat armor frantically running past the ship, and into the room. He noted the darkness from the room ahead, in contrast to the brightly lit hangars that they had passed through. Pff-ff. Static came on through the comm, as the Uniri were preparing to give more instructions, and Cas narrowed his eyes as womanly voice of the ship stated: Auto-pilot on.


Cas rose immediately, and reached for his gun, as the Uniri apologized for the auto-pilot, explaining it was easier to direct utilities easier this way. He knew the comm would be open at this point, and he moved his eyes towards the system, signaling to Keve with a double tap to his shoulder to get ready. He mouthed the word 'AMBUSH' to the other, hand at the ready as they entered the dark room.

 

[Laine]

Keve’s eyes narrowed at the Uniri’s reply came through, although his answer had a believable jovial tone to it, “I understand. These 5th generation ships can be a little cumbersome to navigate.” He added a fake chuckle into the comms unit, his hand falling to the handle of his gun as he did so. He nodded in agreement to the Lieutenant as he mouthed the word to him, and in response he used his non-gun hand to wave subtly in front of his face and left shoulder – a hand signal to Zise that they were preparing to be attacked.


The ship continued to slide into the dark room, coating it in darkness as the engines started to power down. More static blared through the speakers on the ship, and Keve started to get jittery, partly because of the withdrawal, and partly because of the nerves. It had been a while since he’d been side-by-side Cassidy in a fight against a rival species, a feeling which he realised he missed, just a little, since joining forces in chaotic Vos.


“We’ve got some heavy equipment onboard, mind if we come out the back way?” Keve murmured into the comms unit, simultaneously nodding Cassidy towards the smaller, more discreet side door. There was a brief chattering on the other side, and a quiet clanking of boots on metal outside the ship could be heard. “That is fine. We will have some engineers waiting outside to escort you.” Came the Uniri reply. Zise shuffled off the couch, moving towards the back door, before Keve waved him to where Cassidy was standing. Keve gritted his teeth at the stupid creature, knowing they would easily and quickly be one man down if they didn’t keep an eye on him.


Before he joined the two standing at the side door, he pressed several buttons on the dashboard, which would cause the side door to open just before the back door – giving the three of them the chance to either run away or engage the enemy while they open fired at an empty doorway. “Alright. Opening doors now. Standby.” Keve said, a nervous smile on his face as he joined Cas and Keve.