I'm a terrible person. This should have been up like a week ago but everything just got crazy(er) I don't understand how my life can be so busy yet I feel like I've done nothing all week..? Anyways, enough about me. I just want to thank everyone who reviewed/alerted/favourited this story so far! You're all amazing! On with the story!


Chapter 2

I was unbelievably grateful of my survival training Mira gave us. Even if I got fed up with her, I had to admit she knew what she was talking about. I was now in the middle of the forest, trying to make my way to Terra Nova. The only problem? I had no idea where the hell I was going. Yes, I had managed to steal a map from Mira's room before making my big escape, but I couldn't even work out how to use it properly. It could have been upside down and I wouldn't have a clue. Maybe that should have been the bit in training I paid attention to. I had been ok to begin with, when I knew where I was because I could trace my direction from where the camp was. But I had to make a run for it when I realised I had trackers on me. Lucky for me there was a little trouble with some Nykos so they had to back off, giving me a chance to lose them. So that left me lost, wandering around in a jungle filled with carnivorous dinosaurs with only my backpack of supplies and a knife Mira told us to always carry. I stopped when I saw a rock I could sit on. Pulling out my water bottle, I gulped down some while I tried to think what my next more should be. Mira wouldn't come looking for me until morning, since it was already getting dark, so I didn't have to panic too much about her at the moment. What I did have to worry about was the sun setting pretty quickly, and I still had no clue how close I was to Terra Nova. Who knows, I could have been walking away from it!

I must have walked for a couple more hours at least before the sun really was setting and I only had a little bit of daylight left. When I heard a cry in the distance from some sort of dinosaur, I decided it was probably best to set up camp, preferably in a nice safe tree. So I scouted around and found a decent one, which would be good enough for one night. I clambered up and found a comfortable sitting place between two thick branched and the trunk it's self. Sighing, I took out a blanket I had thought to pack last minute just incase this happened, and I threw it over myself. I had already covered myself in that disgusting smelling plant Mira told us about, so I hoped that would keep the nasty reptiles away.

-/-TN-/-

It took hours, but finally I fell asleep. The next time I was aware of anything was when the sunlight streamed through my eye lids. I yawned and stretched. Then, suddenly, a loud crunching noise started, making me jump. Unfortunately, getting startled in a tree usually resorts to falling out, which is exactly what I did. As I fell I knew I was about to become dinosaur breakfast. But when I opened my eyes after hitting the ground, it wasn't a hungry dinosaur I came face to face with. It was a rover, the ones I knew belonged to Terra Nova. A couple of soldiers jumped out and surrounded me, their guns up and ready. I groaned and started to get up, stretching my aching limbs. That tree wasn't nearly as comfortable as I had thought last night. I wasn't too worried about the guns, as I knew they wouldn't shoot without reason, and I wasn't giving them a reason, yet. When I stood straight, one of them shouted at me to put my hands up. I did so, and another came over to check for weapons. They found the knife. I don't think they liked that very much. Somehow they were able to tell I was a Sixer. It was weird to hear them calling me that, since I never really thought of myself as one. I always referred to the others as Sixers, but never counted myself in that crowd.

I still had two men on me with guns, while the other was on the radio to what I'm guessing was Terra Nova base, possibly even Commander Taylor himself. I looked at the two soldiers with the guns, and saw they were both surprisingly young. Well, not surprisingly since I had seen their patrols before, but it was odd to think they were a few years away from my age. They always looked much more grown up at a distance. I smiled at them but they didn't smile back, instead both exchanging incredulous looks. The third had finished on the radio, and came over to us. "Why are you here?" he asked me and I sighed.

"Trust me, it's a long story. But I'd rather explain it to Commander Taylor himself. And I would like to get out of this jungle please, I sort of have some people after me." That made them frown. They must have assumed I was on some sort of Sixers mission, so when I admitted the Sixers were after me, it threw them. When they didn't lower their weapons or make any movement to take me in, I sighed again. "Look, you can tie me up and gag me if you want, I just really really want to speak to Commander Taylor. Hell, you can keep two of you with me at all times if you really want." They debated this quietly, then the third got the radio out. He spoke quickly and quietly, so I didn't hear the conversation. In the end though he nodded and gestured for the other two to bind my hands and take me in. "Whoa whoa whoa, wait a second." The weapons were up in seconds when I refused to be tied up. "Oh calm down soldiers. I just need my bag." One of them grabbed it and I rolled my eyes, but allowed them to tie my hands behind my back.

-/-TN-/-

The trip was relatively quiet, as they really had no idea what to say to me. One of them tried asking who I was, but I just shook my head at him. The journey was only an hour until we reached the tree line. I could see a huge wood fence surrounding the colony which made me smile. If Commander Taylor let me, this could become my home. The gates were raised when they saw us and soon we were inside. The soldier driving, who was the one who radioed in, jumped out and was greeted by a lot more soldiers. I caught a glimpse of Commander Taylor himself through the gap in the rover before he moved and I lost sight of him. There were civilians out, and it looked like this was some sort of market place set out.

"Where is she then soldier?" I heard the Commander ask and the soldier replied before opening the door of the rover and motioning for the other two to bring me out. One held each arm, and I held my head up high as I got out, aware of the crowd watching. They lead me to Commander Taylor and he took in my appearance while we walked. The soldiers stood straight in front of him and I could tell they had a lot of respect for this man. Mira didn't like him, but she did say he was a very good fighter, once a brilliant soldier back in the future. I respected him for what he was doing here, even if it was for no use.

"What's your name girl?" He asked, after gesturing for the soldiers around us to lower their weapons and relax. I must have gained his trust enough to know I wasn't about to pull anything.

"Rio, sir. Rio Holland." He frowned.

"And when did you get here Rio?"

"Two weeks ago." There were a few gasps at my statement probably because the next pilgrimage wasn't due for another month or two. The Commander frowned deeper, and took a minute to speak next.

"Bring her to the Command Tower and get her something to eat and drink." The soldiers holding me nodded, and another came to take me to this tower he spoke of. The Commander then turned to a woman who was standing next to him. "Wash, get a doctor to prepare to check her out after I'm done." The woman nodded and strode off in the opposite direction that we were heading. Commander Taylor stayed back to talk to some people while I was lead towards the large building with stairs leading up to it. The room it's self was large and round, and it's main feature was the desk, made out of a dinosaur skull and glass set on top. I had to admit, that was pretty cool. I was bored though, staying in silence with this soldier. Why wouldn't he talk to me? Oh, it was probably because I was 'the enemy'. Maybe they took offence from that?

"That desk is cool." I stated and I saw the soldiers lips twitch. "You know, for a soldier, you aren't very good at keeping a straight face." I pointed out making him smile and stare at me weirdly.

"Yeh? Well for a Sixer you aren't very good at being mean." I smirked at that and shrugged.

"Why do you think I left?" Before he could answer, Commander Taylor entered with that woman he called Wash and another man. The soldier stood straight for them, and was told to wait outside. Sending a quick glance in my direction, he left me alone with the two adults.

"So, Rio, I think you need to explain from the beginning." Commander Taylor said. I frowned at him.

"Before I start, can I just ask two things?" The adults exchanged looked but Taylor nodded. "Firstly, would you mind untying me, because this is hurting my wrists now." He was shocked for a second then nodded and took out a knife. I tried not to flinch when he came near me and cut the ropes off.

"What was your second question?" He asked once I had sat down.

"I would just like to know their names, since they know mine." Again, he was shocked but nodded.

"Lieutenant Washington, Jim Shannon. Both are part of my security team." I nodded at both of them then turned back to the Commander.

"Before I tell you what happened after I came through the portal, you have to know something that's happening the other side. Back in the future." They seemed very interested by this. "They are training people up. There was about 15 of us that came through this time, but there are more there, getting ready. And Mira, she's able to contact them." This worried them greatly. "So we got trained up in combat, then sent here. They chose people who don't have any reason for staying in the future. Like me, I don't so I signed up for coming here. I couldn't win the lottery, and I wouldn't have been recruited obviously, so Mira's offer was my only hope. I didn't agree with what she was doing, but it was the only way I was getting here. So I learnt everything along with the others, and I ended up working for her. We've been sabotaging your missions ever since I got here, and I know they've been doing it ever since they broke away from Terra Nova."

"Why did you leave?" I frowned for a minute, decided what I could tell them and what would be best to leave out. No, I wasn't planning on keeping anything about the Sixers from them. It's fair enough if I spill anything about them, since there was a spy inside Terra Nova doing exactly the same thing. I was just trying to keep my past to a minimum.

"I couldn't take it anymore. I didn't want to be hurting people for their causes. So I got away." Taylor nodded.

"I need to talk to my people. You can wait outside while we decide the next course of action." I nodded, then stood up to leave. When I reached the door I turned round.

"Thank you." Commander Taylor nodded and I left the room.

That soldier from earlier was still there, this time with food and water that I guessed was for me. I sat down on the floor next to it and started to smell the food before tasting it. While I ate, I didn't bother being too polite, since I hadn't eaten properly in days. Sure we got food at Mira's, but it wasn't properly prepared food, and usually we had to get it ourselves. And I really shouldn't be left alone to feed myself, I suck. I'll never be able to be responsible for anything else, it'd probably die in a week. A chuckled pulled my attention away from the food. I looked up at the soldier, who was trying not to laugh at me. "What?" I asked, my mouth full so it sounded unintelligible. He seemed to understand what I said anyway and shrugged.

"Oh, nothing." I raised an eyebrow and finished my mouthful before speaking again.

"If you have a problem with my eating you can turn around." My tone made him raise an eyebrow in return then shake his head.

"You're odd you know?"

"Is that an insult? Do you want me to kick your ass?" He looked at me incredulous.

"You do know that I'm the one holding the gun right?" I rolled my eyes and stuffed a roll, something like bread, into my mouth and shrugged. I then chugged down some water and sighed happily when I felt full. "You done?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yup. I never got your name by the way."

"Dean Jacksons."

"I always thought soldiers talked all respectfully and stuff." I wondered out loud and he smiled.

"Normally we do, but only to people who deserve respect." I feigned hurt and put a hand to my heart.

"Ouch. And why wouldn't I deserve respect?"

"You're the enemy remember?" By the way he said it, I could tell he didn't really mean that. Sure I came from the Sixers camp, but I wasn't exactly acting like them.

"Oh yeh, I forgot I just spent a whole day running through that bloody jungle away from them. Oops." He smirked. Our conversation was interrupted by Lieutenant Washington.

"The Commander has said you can stay. You'll be living in a house with a couple of other your age." I nodded.

"Thank you." She half smiled in response.

"Soldier, take Miss Holland to get checked out by a doctor. One should be waiting." Dean nodded and lead me away from the Command Tower.

-/-TN-/-

We walked into the hospital place and I was hit by the smell of disinfectant and general cleanliness. I had forgotten how much I disliked that smell. Dean lead me over to a woman who was just finishing up with a patient. "Dr Shannon?" He asked and she turned round. Another Shannon. She was probably married to that Jim Shannon man. She smiled and looked over at me. "I was told to bring Miss Holland here ma'am." Miss Holland now? Obviously Lieutenant Washington using that had proved I was worthy of respect now. I smirked.

"Oh yes, we were told. Let me just go wash up before I see her. You can wait here." She pointed to a spare bed and seat. Dean relaxed as soon as Dr Shannon walked away. I laughed at that.

"So I'm Miss Holland now? Did I earn that respect?" He rolled his eyes.

"I'll only call you that in front of adults, don't worry." Dr Shannon came back and Dean left to wait outside, sending a smile over his shoulder at me. I turned back to the doctor when she started scanning me. She sprayed some stuff on the cuts I had gotten in the jungle, and she asked if she could listen to my heart and such. After about 10 minutes, she turned the scanner off and smiled.

"Well, everything seems fine to me."

"Thanks doctor." She nodded and sent me on my way. I met Dean outside, and he started to lead me through the colony. Everything was so bright and open here, unlike the Sixers camp. People were milling around, laughing and enjoying life. The plants even seemed brighter here, with pretty flower arrangements in front of each house.

He lead me to a house the same as the others. It looked like a newish build, and was painted an aqua blue on the outside. There was two kids that looked about my age sitting on the porch outside, one strumming a guitar and the other sunbathing with a smile on her face. The girl had curly brown hair that went to just past her shoulders, and her skin was a nice tan from obviously spending a lot of time in the sun. She sighed contently and I moved my eyes to study the boy. He was concentrating deeply on the guitar strings, muttering every now and then when he got a note wrong. I almost smiled at the way his nose scrunched up when he was annoyed at it. Maybe it was the way he acted, or the slightly controversial look about him, but I was instantly intrigued by this boy. Dean cleared his throat to get their attention, and both looked up in interest. The girl's eyes found me almost instantly, the boy's taking a bit longer, but they both studied me at the same time while I stood there slightly awkwardly.

"This is Rio Holland. Miss Tate I believe you have been told about the arrangements?" The girl nodded at the soldier then turned back to me. She smiled and I returned it, not hesitantly like I'm sure she suspected.

"Well Rio, it's nice to meet you. I'm Skye." We shook hands and I stepped back once we let go. "And this is Josh." Skye had to elbow the boy, Josh, before he stuck out his hand to shake mine. He let go quickly and I probably would have been hurt if I hadn't suspected it. Seriously, troubled teenage boy? The image he was giving out was so overdone. I just couldn't understand why it was him I was interested in, not one of the hundreds of other troubled teens I had met.

Josh

I grumbled again after messing up the same note three times in a row. Usually I wasn't too bothered when I messed up, usually because I wasn't really playing a proper piece, but I guess it was the heat and everything today that made me more irritable. Skye sighed happily from beside me, which would usually pull me away from my playing so I could talk to her, but I just didn't feel like giving up just yet. I frowned again at the same note, but before I could get annoyed, both Skye and I were interrupted by a small cough. The soldier in front of Skye's house stood straight, just like all the others. I didn't really see why they had to be so formal all the time. Maddy's boyfriend Mark was never seen without a straight back and that irritating look on his face that made me scowl every time I saw it. It wasn't Mark's personality I disliked, just the fact he was dating Maddy.

It actually took me a while to notice there was a girl standing next to the soldier. But when I did, I wondered how I could have missed her. She was quite striking. Her skin was a sort of light coffee colour, perfectly smooth with no blemishes from what I could see. Her features were well defined and her eyes stood out, their colour a vivid green. Though the most unusual thing about the girl was not her torn clothes or dirt smudged face, it was her very dark purple hair, which had been pulled back into a long ponytail, with pieces coming out to frame her face, joining the side fringe swept lazily over one eye. The colour looked like it had started to fade towards the ends, so it took on a lighter shade, but it suited her.

I missed the question the soldier had asked Skye, but I saw her nod. She then stepped forward, obviously to introduce herself. "Well Rio, it's nice to meet you. I'm Skye." They shook hands, the girl, Rio, smiled back. The smile it's self only improved the way she looked, and it seemed to make her eyes light up. I was probably just thinking way too much about this. Actually, I was considering this girl a whole lot more than I probably should have been. After all, whenever I looked at another girl, all I could see was Kara. Specially with Skye. It was just the way they both acted that was so similar. They seemed to even posses the same infectious smile. So why hadn't I instantly seen Kara in this girl?


Sooo, how did you like that? Got a little introduction to Josh, and come of Dean. Kay Dean is going to be a main character in this so look out for him! REVIEW PLEASE!

-ellie xox