Bout time you got back!

---

"Musa!" Layla's voice carried down the wrecked hall. "Musa! Where are you?"

She didn't really expect Musa to answer, but somehow felt it would comfort the fairy to know that somebody was looking for her. Last time they met, Musa's spirit seemed to have left her body. She guessed it had something to do with losing her prized saxophone. A direct hit from a rogue asteroid demolished her quarters, either flattening the instrument or sending it pummeling into deep space. That saxophone was as part of Musa as was her heart. Layla couldn't even imagine what must be going through her head right now. All she knew is that she had to find Musa.

The search had taken her to the more damaged parts of the ship in which several little droids rushed about making repairs. The Sparx had barely made it through the debris field. She was broken – devastated.

Like Musa.

She feared for her friend's well being and nothing would stop her from finding her. Even if it meant daring the collapsed inner hulls of the ship.

A brief spark caught her attention and she saw a shadow move. Believing it to be Musa, Layla turned to the shadow but found it only to be a droid sealing a cracked compartment. Her heart fell. If something had happened to Musa she didn't know what she'd do. She was her first true friend in a long time. She treated Layla like a sister. To lose Musa would be like losing a part of herself.

She couldn't let that happen again.

"Musa!" The princess continued on her way.

Then another princess made the scene. "Hey, Layla. Wait up."

"Stella?" Layla turned around.

The Solarian approached Layla with worried steps. "Any luck?"

"No. I'm really worried about her. She was a mess last time I saw her."

"Where could she have gone?"

"She lost her saxophone, Stella."

The statement made Stella gasp. "Oh no!"

"We have to find her. Help me look."

"That's what I'm here for." Stella said.

Layla turned her back on Stella and began walking. "Did Skye tell you to follow me?"

"Yeah. That guy's got his hands full right about now."

"He's such an ass. Because of him we nearly got killed."

"Chill, girl. I agree that Skye's masculine sense of duty got the better of him this time, but he can't help being a hero."

"Heroes don't put their friends in danger."

"Hello! We're the Winx Club. We get ourselves into trouble all the time. Why you should have been with us freshmen year. We got into all kinds of situations where I thought,"

"Not now, Stella."

"Wha…" Stella paused.

"Let's just find Musa and get out of this place."

"This place is the only thing between us and an open vacuum."

"It's a death trap."

"If you say so."

Layla shook her head. "Look either help me find Musa or leave!"

"Okay! Okay!" Stella gave in. She couldn't help it. Being the fairy of the sun, she always tried to shine some light on the situation. It was her nature. "Musa, where are you?" Putting her hands to form a cup around her mouth, Stella joined her voice to Layla's. "Musa."

"Musa!" The other girl's voice was louder. "Musa!"

Had they bothered to shut up and listen they would have heard someone sobbing nearby. Musa was not far from their current position but she did not intend to reveal herself. Taking comfort in the shadows, Musa huddled her legs to her chest and hugged them. She was so sad. She needed someone but could not bring herself to speak.

---

"Riven."

Sighing, the redhead turned around to face the angry blonde-haired boy. "What?"

"Ever heard of the chain of command?"

"Ever heard of personal space?" Riven said taking a step back from Skye who had the nerve to get in his face.

"I don't need your crap now, Riven. We've too much to deal with already."

"Such is the fate of heroes."

"Riven."

"Skye."

The prince had learned long ago not to get into these petty arguments with a guy who had the standards of a gerbil. Looking away to collect himself, Skye turned back with a calm demeanor. "Look, just tell what your issue is this time?"

"I'm going to find my girlfriend. Got a problem with that?"

"Layla and Stella are on it. I need you to help us prep for the mission."

"You've got enough hands for that."

"The girls aren't trained for this kind of operation, Riven. You, Timmy and Brandon are all I've got to rely on. One of us is lying unconscious in the medical ward which means more responsibility for the rest of us. Now can I count on you?"

Riven seemed insulted. "Like I've ever let you down before. How can you question me now?"

"I seem to recall a time when you turned your back on your friends for the sake of some witch." Skye said that more harshly than he intended and regretted it the moment he did. The look on Riven's face changed slightly from that of defiance to hurt. This was not how a captain was supposed to act and Skye berated himself for it. "Shit. Riven, I'm sorry. It wasn't your fault."

Shaking his head, "No…it was."

"I have no right to insult your honor. I know you're a good man, reliable in a pinch. But I need to know everything's alright with you." He softened his pose. "What's wrong?"

Riven grit his teeth. "It's all my fault."

"I thought we agreed that what you did with Darcy was,"

"I mean all this." He motioned to the dimly-lit hallway they were in. "I'm the one who suggested we go on this trip and now look where we are. Now the Sparx is in shambles, we're cut off from the outside world and Musa is missing. Something tells me this is only going to get worse."

"Always darkest before the dawn." Skye quoted.

"Piss off, Skye."

"Take it easy. This has been a rough time for all of us. But we'll get through this. We always have before."

"I just don't like being the cause of so much suffering." Riven balanced himself on a nearby wall using an outstretched hand while he hung his head. "I've had enough of that back on the streets."

Prince Skye, or rather Captain Skye, placed his hands behind his back. With two long steps he walked past Riven and toward the nearest window. The glow of the planet could just be made from beyond the horizon of the moon. It was beautiful; as if waiting for the sun to rise up out of the darkness. This brought back the quote Skye had mentioned before. "Check this out, Riven."

Riven looked up to where Skye was standing. Slowly he walked over to him and waited for clarification.

"What do you see out there?"

He looked. "A planetoid orbiting a giant ball of ice. A purple nebula. Various debris coming off the hull of the ship." He gazed at Skye. "Why?"

"How many people can say they traveled through a nebula and lived to tell about it?" Was Skye's retort. "We just did something they never taught us to do back at school. We probably secured our own chapter in the records books for accomplishing such a feat."

"Your point, Skye."

"We've had to face a lot of difficult tasks since we joined Red Fountain. We've made tough choices and friends got hurt. You know I actually regretted when Codatorta made me team leader. I switched my name with Brandon's so I could get away from responsibility, but instead had it thrust upon me once again. Being a leader meant that my decisions would decide the fate of others. People would follow me even if that meant their deaths. While you guys are capable fighters, I loathe putting you in a dangerous situation. Each time I do I keep reminding myself it's what we've been trained for."

Skye sighed. "But not the girls. Still, they that doesn't stop them from trying to do the right thing. I admire that about them. Bloom, Stella, they're all incredible young women."

"Skye…"

The prince faced his friend, his arms at his sides. "Remember that talk you gave me back in the medical ward? When I was beating myself over what happened to Bloom? Well you were right. I thought about what you said when you left and I realized that as much as it hurt to see Bloom and Helia in those capsules, they would never hesitate to risk their own lives to save others. When I asked you what you saw out in the window a moment ago, I didn't mean it in the literal sense. Where you see a nebula and fragments of a decaying ship I see the price for fighting the forces of evil."

Skye's face became deathly serious. "I too read his book, Riven. Lysander Huxley's words haunted my dreams when I read about the atrocities of the Numibian War. I could never let something like that happen again, not when I have the power to stop it. The Sparx has gotten us this far. It would be dishonorable to put her sacrifice to shame if we don't go through with this."

Riven mentally scoffed. The ship was an inanimate object made of durasteel and tritanium alloy. Yet Skye thought of it as a living entity. Animate or not, she was the only thing keeping them alive right now. The ship held out far better than any of them could have hoped and he was sure Timmy and Tecna can get it up and running again. The question was, what was Skye getting at? Riven didn't care for rallies or pep talks or inspiring speeches of any sort; but Skye did. Perhaps it came with being raised a monarch. One needed to know how to inspire a crowd. Riven grew up depending on nobody but himself and his skill. Until he met the guys, of course; and the Winx Club…and Musa.

"I need…to find her." Riven spoke slowly.

"And I need you to help see this mission through." He grabbed Riven's shoulders. This time he didn't brush Skye away. "Look, I'll have a group of droids help in the search. Would that be okay?"

Riven looked up. "But the repairs?"

"The Sparx will hold together. Trust me, you helped modify her. In the meantime, Musa is more important. In fact, once we're done with our appointed tasks I'll have the entire crew look for her. Layla said she saw her not too long ago. There aren't many places Musa could have gone. She's probably hiding somewhere to clear her head. We've all done the same thing more than once. But look inside yourself, Riven. What does your heart tell you? Is Musa okay?"

Riven did listen to his heart. All it said was, thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump, but he did get the metaphorical meaning behind Skye's suggestion. "I…I…I'm not sure."

Skye pulled back.

"I know she's alive…but I think there's something wrong with her. Don't ask me how I know that. I just do."

Prince Skye lowered his head as he walked around Riven. When a boy and a girl were around each other long enough they did develop a special connection. He believed he and Bloom had the same thing, but at least he knew where Bloom was. Skye didn't think he would be able to function properly had he not known Bloom's whereabouts. Riven's feelings for Musa were true. So was he right in preventing him from finding her? What would Bloom do?

"No." Riven said and Skye looked about. "Y…you're right. I need to help Timmy and Brandon prepare for launch. Layla will find Musa. She probably doesn't want to see me anyway."

"Riven,"

"I'll be in the hangar." Riven turned abruptly and made way for the nearest access tube.

When he left, Skye realized his speech had had the opposite affect. Much like Riven did for him earlier, Skye wanted to lift his spirits by telling him it wasn't his fault. But Riven always kept his feelings bottled up. He was hurting for Musa, because of everything he did, but he couldn't express it. Had he gone looking for Musa and found her he would only have agitated her further and gods know what else would have happened between those two. He wasn't too keen on having Layla perform the search, but at least Musa would approach her and Stella would serve as a good anchor for emotional outbursts. But Riven would much prefer to avoid such confrontation and instead would hide his heart behind his work. He would help Brandon and Timmy if only to forget about Musa for the time being. All these years and still nothing's changed.

But there was only so much he could do. Riven was stubborn and Skye still had a job to do. But maybe there was something else to all this. Perhaps, Skye thought, Riven was just better at pep talks than he was.

---

Musa crept through the darkness like an insect avoiding the light. She'd forgotten how long she'd been doing this; time seemed to stretch on when a part of you was lost forever, but what she did recall was where she was heading. Sickbay was not far from here and Musa was indeed very sick and although her illness was not something that mere medicines could hope to cure, her senses had automatically carried her this far.

The doors opened and Musa stepped in. "Oh…" She stuttered.

Flora was sitting with her back to the door when Musa entered. The brunette turned to Musa and almost jumped out of her chair. "Musa!"

"F-Flo…" She didn't finish; and she turned to leave.

"Wait!" Flora managed to cover the distance between them rather quickly but it was the softness of her voice that stopped Musa from leaving. That sweet, innocent voice, filled with genuine concern, suddenly halted Musa and she knew that if there was anyone she could have talked too who would not judge or takes sides…it was Flora.

"Sweetie, wait."

But Musa wasn't going anywhere. She kept her back to Flora but stood in the middle of the doorway, the doors remaining open due to her proximity. Flora made an attempt to touch her but stopped. She was very sensitive to other's feelings and the troubled aura she received from Musa was enough to give her pause. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just tired, Flo. I…I need some rest."

"Why don't you lay down and I'll get you something to drink?"

"…that would be nice." Musa admitted.

Moments later, the dark-haired fairy was laying down on her back on one of the medical beds. Across from her were Bloom and Helia, still unconscious within the capsules. Flora gave Musa a drink of water which she hurriedly ingested before asking for another. She was down to her fourth cup when Flora decided to speak up again. "Want to talk about it?"

She needed to.

"I lost my saxophone, Flora."

There was silence…followed by a whimper. "I'm so sorry."

Musa looked up. "It's not your fault."

Flora had taken a seat beside Musa's bed. The upper portion of the mattress was elevated so that Musa was in a near sitting position. She wasn't so much tired, despite her earlier proclamation, as he was drained. The loss of her prized sax was a tremendous blow to her well-being but that had slowly been chipped away by the events preceding it. Looking down into the cup, which was almost empty, Musa saw a very sad girl staring back. "It was so beautiful, ya know? I used to play it every night after a hard day. No matter how bad it was, my sax always cheered me up."

"I remember. I love to hear you play."

"Loved." Musa corrected. "I can't play it anymore."

Flora winced. "Musa…I," This wasn't going to be easy on her. If anything, all she could say would only be received as a miserable attempt at brightening Musa's mood and "bright" was one thing Musa wasn't looking for at the moment. "I'm sorry about your saxophone."

"I told you it's not your fault." She scowled. "It's Riven's."

"What?"

"It was his stupid idea to come on this trip. He invited me and because of that I lost my saxophone."

"But Riven didn't,"

"He's such a jerk!" Musa cut her off, her voice rising. "I hate him! I hate him so much!" A tear fell into the cup. "I wish I never met that son of a bitch!"

The anger in her voice was so intense that it sent shivers down Flora's spine. "Don't say that."

"Why not? Huh?! Look, Flora." She pointed with an outstretched finger to the capsules on the other side of the room. "Your Helia is in there because of him. How could you not hate him as much as I do? Doesn't Helia mean anything to you?"

"Musa, please!"

Fighting back the tears, and losing, Musa clenched her eyes shut and imagined the one person she hated now more than anything. His red hair. His violet orbs. His tanned skin. His gorgeous smile. His deep voice. His smell. The picture formed a crystal clear image in her mind – then she twisted it. She imagined all the horrible deformations she could think off and applied them to the image. Riven's face became distorted and ugly. His body shriveled and bloated at the same time. She turned him into a hideous shell of his former self. All her anger, all this unbridled rage, was directed at him.

Her magic was reacting to her and waves of sound emitted from her bare hands, cracking the cup.

"Musa," Flora warned but was overshadowed by her cry.

"I hate you, Riven!"

The glass shattered.

When she opened her eyes, Musa found her hands mixed with water, glass and blood.

Flora rushed over to the nearest cabinet to retrieve a first-aid kit and returned just as fast. After cleaning the wound and applying a disinfectant, she carefully bandaged the wound. Musa was silent during the whole process. Somehow, what she had said did not make her feel any better. She thought directing her anger against Riven would alleviate it, but instead she felt even emptier than she had before. Riven brought so much pleasure into her life. For her to just curse him like that. What happened to her? She was never a vindictive person. Why was she taking all this out on Riven? Had he not risked his life for her? Did he not admit his undying love for her? Would he not die for her? So why did he make her so mad?

"I'm sorry." Musa said, for though her emotion was directed at Riven, it was Flora who bore the brunt of it. "I didn't mean what I said about Helia. I know you love him very much." When Flora didn't answer her, Musa lifted her gaze to stare in to her forest-green eyes. Those eyes weren't looking at her. Instead they fell on Helia who was still. Way to alienate your friends, Musa. Oh gods, she was becoming like Riven.

"I'm sorry, Flo."

"I know."

"Then why,"

"Things are tough now. We have to be stronger if we expect to survive." That cold, logical statement did not sound like Flora at all. It's something Tecna would have said, or maybe Bloom, but not Flora. Her soul was the purest of them all and when her voice lost its luster, it did nothing but lower spirits. And Musa's was about as low as it could get.

"You're right. I shouldn't be mad at Riven. It's not his fault I lost my sax."

"Nor put Helia in a capsule." Flora muttered beneath her breath but Musa's radar-like ears picked it up. She didn't say anything, rather watching Flora's face when she said it. It was frigid. Blank. Scary. "Flora," Musa began but the door slid open admitting two very exasperated princesses.

"Hey, Flora, you got any aspirin wit…" Stella stopped mid-sentence when she spotted the other fairy in the room. "Musa?"

Layla came around her. Her eyes lit up. "Musa!"

Before Flora could stop them, Stella and Layla congregated around the troubled girl and after a few quick hugs began barraging her with questions.

"Guys enough!" Flora ordered and both paused. "Musa's very tired right now. Leave her be and come back later."

But Layla wasn't about to stop. She looked right back at Musa and began to interrogate her. "Where have you been? When I woke up and you weren't there I was worried sick!"

"I'm sorry." Musa said.

"You're sorry? That's it? What's wrong, Musa?"

"I just,"

"No need to worry." Stella spoke up. "Your friends are here now. Things are going to be okay."

"Guys." Flora said.

Seeing her friends there did little to cheer Musa up and she hated herself for it. How could she not be happy to see them? They were her sisters.

Layla sat down next to her with a big smile. "Come on. Let's go back to my room so you can get some sleep."

"I…"

"I know what will cheer you up." Stella began. "How about something to eat? I make a mean macaroni salad."

"I…"

Flora stood up. "Girls I think,"

"I…"

"I'll help you, Musa."

"I'll go over to the kitchen. What's left of it anyway."

"Let's leave Musa alone so she can rest."

"She can rest in my room."

"I don't think she wants to leave."

"I wonder if the vending machine still works."

"Musa,"

"Leave her alone."

"Why don't you let me take care of my friend."

"She's my friend too."

"Maybe a nice meatloaf will do the trick."

"Don't tell her what to do."

"That's what you're doing."

"I know what's best for her."

"No you don't."

"Now which way was the cafeteria again?"

"Stop!" Musa yelled and everyone shut up. "I just want to be left alone, okay? Just leave me alone."

"Musa." They said.

"Please. Just go."

Once her friends left, more concerned than ever, Musa rolled her body into a ball and tried to fall asleep. She wasn't really tired, but anything would be preferable than being in the real world right about now.

---

With the ship fully prepped and ready for departure, the specialists prepared themselves accordingly. According to Tecna's scans, the planet's temperature was at sub-zero temperatures – during the summer – with thick cloud covers preventing most light from ever reaching the surface. As such, the crew wore thick, insulated suits which would maintain their body heat whilst traversing the frozen grounds. They also carried with them portable heaters and wore layers upon layers beneath their arctic wear.

Of course, they weren't going down without any weapons. The Sparx had an admirable selection of weapons should the yacht ever come under attack by pirates. It was this armory that Skye and the others raided, properly arming themselves with whatever they thought they would need. Yet, as Skye reminded, this was only a scouting mission; which meant they were only going down there to get a lay of the land and not to fight. None of the boys seemed too eager to get into it at the moment anyway. Their mission was simple: scout the perimeter of the mining facility, discern the enemy's defenses and numbers, search for the best means of infiltration and neutralization before taking the instillation and find a means of contacting the outside world.

Then hopefully they can get the hell out of here.

Prince Skye would leave Tecna in charge aboard the Sparx while he led the scouting team. Only the boys would go, the girls would stay on the ship and await further instruction. The decision had to do with practicality. While the Winx girls had proven themselves time and again, they were leaderless without Bloom and lacked the harmony that their group depended on. The specialists weren't any better being one man down, but they were used to internal confrontation. Gods knew how many times they've fought and squabbled with one another before, during and after a mission. Besides, the fairies would be a tremendous resource to risk should things go sour down there. Better they remain up here where they could be called in for support.

It had taken them an hour to get everything set for the launch. Will a full crew and a working ship, the time would have been cut to less than half, but they had to make due with what they had. Most of the ship's resources were being used on repairs. That meant that most of the preparations had to be done by hand. To their credit, the guys came through in record time with their limited options. Skye was proud to see his friend working together. Even Riven, who silently sulked the whole time, put his entire being into the mission.

When all was done, Skye reviewed his team. They each donned the insulated white suits along with a thick hood to cover their heads. Their faces were completely covered; each adorning goggles to guard against the frigid air of the planet. They resembled more of a tactical military team rather than a group of young heroes trying to make ends meet on a trip gone straight to hell. Damn that comparison! They were specialists. Trained to do a job that most would cower in fear from. Now it was time to put all those years of training to work. "You guys ready?"

Brandon nodded and Timmy gave him a thumbs up. Riven kept his eyes glued to the floor. News of Musa's self-imposed exile in sickbay had reached them and at first he wanted nothing more than to go to her…and yet could not. No one bothered to push him. Everything seemed to be off for the normally close-knit group they once were. Perhaps everyone was going through his or her own private hell and didn't want to drag anyone else into it. Riven's hell was his own and he'll be damned if he shared his demons with others.

A curt glance at Skye told him he was ready. "Alright. Everyone get aboard."

---

Tecna found herself missing Timmy more and more with each passing second. The bridge was so lonely with half the lights out and only auxiliary systems up and running. It was cold too. She put on a sweater she found in the captain's closet and put it on. It was made for a man and the jacket overwhelmed her slim form but she was glad for the protection. Only the Great Matrix knew how long it would take before she could get the Sparx back to maximum capacity. What made matters more difficult was readying for such a dangerous mission. Now Tecna's attention was split between two major tasks.

Do they think me a machine?

Her fingers ached from all the typing and she wanted nothing more than to sit down with a nice cup of juice or flavored tea but duty demanded she remain at her post. She was always the most dutiful member of the Winx Club and it sometimes bothered her how the other girls could just put everything aside for their own wants. Not one of them offered a helping hand in her endeavors. Tecna had been working nonstop for over an hour and do you think any of them would come up and at the very least clean up the mess on the bridge?

Honestly!

Skye's voice came through the intercom. "Tecna, we're ready."

"One moment, Skye." She said. "I'm having trouble with the hangar doors. It seems a small fragment from the asteroids has wedged itself within the gears. I'm sending one of the droids to see it if can cut it loose."

"How long will that take?"

"As long as it takes." Tecna bit back. She was working hard enough already. Who was he to rush her?

"Standing by." Skye said and didn't bother to hide the angst in his voice.

I'm doing the best I can, Tecna thought. If only he'd appreciate her for all she's done. Why don't any of them thank her for all her hard work? She should be praised for all she's done. Massaging her forehead, Tecna realized she was coming down with a headache. Strange how everyone is so worried over Musa, Bloom and Helia but nobody's bothered to wonder how she was doing. The whole bridge could come down on her and they wouldn't even notice until they needed something.

"Stop that." Tecna said.

"What's that?"

Apparently the com was still on and Skye had overheard her. "Nothing. Just thinking aloud."

"Keep me posted, Tecna." He signed off.

"Yes sir." She grumbled. Sure she was tired and frustrated but that was no reason to think like that about her friends. They did care for her…it's just, so much has happened. She couldn't blame them.

Could I?

---

Aboard the transport ship, Skye, Brandon, Timmy and Riven waited in complete silence. They were anxious to get this mission started. Why? Because having nothing to do meant there was time to think. Any fighter can tell you that one of the worst things that could happen is having too much time to think. You begin to question things you shouldn't and doubt begins to creep into your mind. Doubt can be more deadly than any weapon, monster or witch.

They each had a lot to be doubtful for.

For Skye, it was seeing his friends through this crisis alive and in one piece.

For Riven, it was mending relations with Musa.

For Timmy, it was seeing Tecna again.

For Brandon, it was about whether or not he'd be getting back from this one.

Actually, they all thought that. Riven's comments about their mortality were completely on the ball. They knew how fragile life really was because they risked theirs all the time. It kind of pissed them off, Riven especially, whenever the Winx Club berated their fighting abilities or pointed out how much better they were because they had magic. How many times have they stood side by side with them against terrible foes and done everything from providing a distraction to saving their lives? To be so ridiculed was nothing short of insulting.

Of course they were kidding…usually. Fairies like Stella, Musa and especially Layla have made it clear how much less they thought of the boys as warriors. Now here they were about to go into the fire once again. The Winx will never understand how vulnerable they truly feel.

Brandon picked up a tune which got on Riven's nerves impeccably fast. "Stop it."

"It helps relax me."

"Know what helps me relax?" Riven glared at him. "Punching a bag. Want to take its place?"

"Don't start, Riven." Skye warned from up front.

"Forgive me, my liege." Riven mocked.

"Chill out, dude." Brandon said and his eyes lit up. "Heh. Guess we're going to be doing a lot of that on the planet."

"Lame." Timmy said.

"Quiet." Skye said and meant it.

"What the hell is taking so long?" Riven asked even when Skye shot angry eyes at him.

"Tecna's taking her sweet time." Brandon said.

Now Timmy became agitated. "She's doing the best she can. Have a little respect for her."

Riven smirked. "Scuse me, loverboy. Believe I really respect your nerdy girlfriend."

"She's not a nerd."

"Alright!" Skye said.

"But she's into you. That must make her part nerd."

"Lay off him, Riv."

"What are you, his boyfriend now?"

"That's enough!" Skye was getting mad.

"I don't need you to protect me, Brandon."

"Dude, just trying to help out."

"Well don't."

"Okay. See how long you last against him in a fight."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He means you're a wuss, Timmy."

"No I don't."

"I can take care of myself."

"Riiiiiiiiiiiight."

Skye stood up so fast that he bumped his head on the lower half of the ceiling. "Dammit! Everyone just shut the hell up okay?"

"Aye, aye, Captain Dumbass." Riven saluted.

"That's it!" Before a fight could break out, Tecna's voice came over the intercom. "It's done. You're cleared for takeoff, captain."

Skye stopped halfway toward Riven who was already out of his chair. Venting his anger through heavy breaths, his eyes bore into Riven before turning back to the pilot's seat. "Thanks, Tecna. Over and out." The hangar doors opened up before them.

Brandon sighed knowing full well how close they came to civil war and Timmy was still fuming over what Riven said about Tecna. Riven sat confidently in his chair while secretly fuming inside. Skye clenched his teeth as he took them out. Their shuttle cleared the doors and he brought them around the other side of the asteroid-moon. The glowing glare of the planet loomed before them.

"I've got you on radar, Skye. But you'll break up as soon as you enter the planet's atmosphere. You'll have to set up a transceiver on the planet's surface if you want to get in contact with me. Over?"

"Loud and clear, Tecna. We'll let you know as soon as we find something." He hit the boosters. "Here we go."

---

I'm not really proud of this chapter. Basically, I just wanted them to get into some action but that'll have to wait until the next one. Finally, they reach the planet's surface and things take a turn for the worse. But you knew that already. Afterall, tragedy is what this story is all about.

I sincerely apologize for the long wait.

Knight