Disclaimer: I do not own Balem or the Jupiter Ascending universe (though I wouldn't mind owning Balem =D) but I do own Amoya whatever other characters that are in existence for this story.


Chapter 6: What's in a name?

- Vipera ship: -

The door to Amoya's room opened and Twenty-four stepped in. Her green eyes sought and found Amoya sitting on the window seat looking out the window.

"We will be arriving and disembarking in an hour.", Twenty-four reported. She stood for a long moment awaiting an response.

Amoya looked up at the taller woman at length. "Sure." she nodded once, absently.

Twenty-four furrowed her eyebrow slightly and then nodded once. She turned to walk out of the room before a soft voice stopped her.

"Twenty-four was it?"

Twenty-four turned around to see Amoya looking at her. "Do you like your...name?" she asked.

"It is suitable."

Amoya nodded, "Tell me, do you like it when someone refers to you as a number? It sounds impersonal."

Twenty-four's eyes darted as if she was trying to process this. "I do not understand. It doesn't matter what you are called."

"It matters to me."

Twenty-four was silent, not knowing how to respond.

Amoya laughed once and looked back out the window. "I never thought that I would grow to love the name Balem. I mean, you must admit, it's an odd name." she laughed once, "But...it fits him." She leaned her forehead on the glass and murmured, "It suited Balem. And I grew to love his name as much as I love the man. I love the fact that I could say his name and he would answer."

Amoya took in a shuddering breath, "He would answer and now..." here she trailed off, "He will never answer again. Even if he survived that...he would never survived the heartbreak of my betrayal. Whether it was real or not, he died thinking I killed him."

Amoya's voice broke once as Twenty-four looked on, something flickering in her green eyes as she watched. "And I have to live with that." Her hand snaked up to press to her heart, "I don't remember anything...but that doesn't matter because I have to live with that."

The former Queen wiped away the stray tears as she stood. She gazed at Twenty-four, not really seeing her, "That's why names are important. Because somewhere, there is someone that would call you by your name. And if you don't have one...what do they call you by? You know?"

Twenty-four furrowed her brow and slowly nodded. "Yes, perhaps I see this, my lady."

Amoya nodded as she walked to the washroom. "Let me know when we get off this bloody ship."

"Yes, my lady", Twenty-four intoned as she turned and walked out.

She kept walking, lost in thought. Coming to a room she waved a hand and the door opened. She walked in still in thought. Twenty-one sat cross legged on the floor, eyes closed. They opened as Twenty-four entered.

"What is it, Twenty-four?"

"It's her Ladyship."

"What?"

"She is...quite odd", Twenty-four spoke, trying to piece together her thoughts.

"No messes for us to clean?" the man asked mildly.

The young woman took a seat on the small bed, "No nothing like that."

Twenty-one blinked as he took in Twenty-four far-away look. "Your look, explain that." he said.

"I am uncertain how to."

"Explain." came the softer order.

Twenty-four looked down at Twenty-one whose eyes were piercing hers. "Do you think it matters that we have no real names?"

Twenty-one blinked slowly at this. He parted his mouth once before closing it. Twenty-four stared at him in earnest.

"What?" he finally settled on to say, confusion coloring his tone.

"I have heard it said that a name is an identity and we have none."

Twenty-one blinked, "Twenty-four, we have no identities. We assume whatever identity is given to us. You know this."

"And that doesn't bother you?"

Twenty-one eyes narrowed, "You are skating a fine line, Twenty-four. Do not let that woman get to you."

Twenty-four's vibrant eyes never strayed from Twenty-one as he closed his eyes. "But you have thought of these things too?" she whispered.

There was a bout of silence before Twenty-one sighed and opened his eyes looking down at his hands. "Yes. I have", he whispered.

Twenty-four sunk to the floor in front of him, "And it shouldn't be wrong, right?" she pressed under her breath.

Twenty-one's hand shot out and grabbed the back of Twenty-four's head and brought it close, his eyes flashing. "It's such talk that landed us here." he hissed, "You know we are not looked on favorably among out chameleon spliced kin. Such talk will get us killed."

"If only that was so. If it was just death..." Twenty-four trailed off seeming unfazed by her position.

Twenty-one's eyes soften as he leaned his head against hers. "It is our fate. This is why were created. To be no-one and everyone at the same time."

They sat there in silence for a bit before Twenty-one moved releasing her. He stood, "Come, we have a job to do. The hour is almost up. We will be landing soon."

"Why do I feel bad about this?" Twenty-four asked as she stood.

Twenty-one gave her a warning glare as she clutched his arm.

"Her ladyship is..." Twenty-four tried to find the proper word for what she has witnessed.

"Upset? Sad?" Twenty-one supplied.

"Yes, that's it. Sad. Does her actions...that mean sad?" Twenty-four stumbled over the unfamiliar words.

"From what I understand of humans, that is an emotion they can have", Twenty-one stated.

"And she was...sad...because her husband is dead?"

"Yes, Twenty-four."

"But...why? Why is she sad that he's dead? I don't understand."

"Human emotions are complicated, be glad we don't have them."

Twenty-four looked up at her companion, "How would we know if we do or don't have them?"

"They told us we don't."

"Then why..."

Slight exasperation colored Twenty-one's voice, "Twenty-four, please, now is not the time. We have to go."

Twenty-four nodded once. " Very well" she intoned. Twenty-one nodded once as they exited the room.

Amoya stood staring at the approaching planet from her spot on the bridge. Twenty-one and Twenty-four stood silently behind her along with the Captain besides her.

"The planet Tilo, my lady."

"I've never heard of Tilo", Amoya murmured absently.

"One of the furthest reaches of the galaxy of the Consilia Intinge-way.

Amoya searched her memory bank and was relieved that made some sense, "That is the third level galaxy isn't it?"

So far there are three galaxies that are known. Each one is assigned an level.

The Milky Way, where Earth was located was the first level.

Second level was Consilia Archway.

Third level was Consilia Intinqe-way.

She was relieved she could remember something. A cold comfort with her mind right now. She reached up and absently rubbed her head. Still it ached. Since that first day, every morning she woke, she woke with a headache.

Must be the stress.

She gave a small sigh. as she watched the planet Tilo approach. It looked to be slightly smaller than Earth but looked pretty similar as Amoya's native planet. Once they dropped out of the atmosphere of Tilo, the were flying over a body of water. Eventually a large palace atop a cliff came into view. It looked like a Chinese-type castle that Amoya had seen in photos and movies. It was a breathtaking sight but Amoya couldn't be excited like she used to. The palace seemed to blend into the grass and trees around it, as it was a green-yellow-brown color scheme.

Vipera eventually touched down on and docked. Once docked, Amoya was escorted off the ship, following Captain Talipi. The Twenties trailed behind her.

They were met by a tall woman with green hair flowing down to her waist. Her skin was the color of sand and she was wearing a green kimono-like garb. Her almond like eyes were lined with kohl and were vibrant green like the Twenties were. Amoya glanced back at them.

The woman glanced the chamelon-spliced duo, dismissing them with a gaze even as they both bowed to her in sync. She turned to Amoya and gave a deep bow.

"Welcome to Tilo, my Lady. I am Mistress Thirty-three. Please, your quarters are already situated and awaiting your use. My master reckons that you are tired. Dinner will be served soon. You have plenty of time to wash up and rest. Sounds good?"

"Very well." said Amoya. The prospect of resting for a bit appealed to Amoya, as all of a sudden she was feeling very fatigue.

Mistress Thirty-three gave another low bow. "Very good." She straightened, "Please follow me."

Once more the Twenties bowed in sync as Mistress Thirty-three harrumphed, before smiling at Amoya and walking off. Amoya followed with a frown. She glanced back to see the Twenties going another way.

The chamber that Amoya was assigned was spacious. It had a very Asian type flair, though from what Amoya saw walking to her room, it too had a green/yellow/white color scheme. Amoya was never fond of the color green unless it was on a tree, but at least the hues of green wasn't puke green. Come to think of it, Amoya felt very relaxed the longer she stayed in the room. It had a calming effect.

Amoya Abrasax let out a yawn before gazing at the large futon bed. It was a bit low for Amoya's taste but was still sitting a ways off the ground.

She walked over and fell into bed.

Shutting her eyes she drifted off and was asleep in minutes.

TBC...