A/N: A longer chapter this time. As promised, Flint gets his first training session. Ztar is becoming increasingly upset with the Tchut situation. Ettwanae and Warren make a decision regarding their personal situation. And, the group arrives at Neu and another step toward retrieving the nodes is taken.

Chapter 28

Flint and Warren faced off in the lower level cargo hold turned training center. A scowl accompanied Flint's current mood – hot.

"Remember, no powers. You need to be able to defend yourself without them."

"When won't I have my powers? That isn't fair."

"Life's not fair. Man up," Warren retorted sternly.

"This is bullshit! I should be on the raid. I can handle myself. And everybody's afraid of fire. They try to stop us, I fry 'em!" The kid looked like he was going to spit nails.

Warren sighed. Drama. Teenage I'm-a-kickass-mutant…don't-tell-me-what-I-can't-do drama. He ignored the outburst.

"Lesson one – deflect and escape. I want you to fend off my attack and get out of the box." He pointed to boundaries of the ten-by-ten square; the center of which they stood.

"Is Twae trainin'? I don't see her down here!"

Warren didn't take the bait to argue his decision. If Flint thought he was ready for a mission, Warren would make him prove it. Ettwanae had to go and training her would come when and if Aru calmed down. However, Ettwanae's battle readiness wasn't issue at that moment. Flint's was.

"If you can escape the square, I may – repeat may – reconsider my decision to let you go on the citadel mission."

"Okay. Bring it on!" Flint challenged, with a quick dart of the eyes to the side.

Warren read the signal – the sneaky bastard was going to dart like a rabbit and win the point on a technicality. That was not going to happen. As Warren faked a grab, Flint lunged sideways for the edge of the sparing ring. He didn't make it. In a lightening fast move, Warren knocked Flint's legs out from under him and the kid fell hard to the floor on his hip and shoulder still fully within the 10 by 10 space.

Standing above the fallen firestarter, Warren looked down. "Attempt one. Failure. Get up." Warren held out a hand.

"I can get up myself!" Flint snapped with a blend of humiliation and anger written on the face as he got to feet.

"Then take your position and we try again."

Flint's body tensed and he crouched slightly. The teen was doing his best to look intimidating. Warren was unimpressed and lunged at his target who incredibly stood stock still. With a quick wrist grab, twist, and flick, he had the stunned teen from behind, throat in a chokehold, and one arm hammer-locked between their bodies.

Flint struggled briefly, tried to kick Warren's shin and pull the arm from his throat, and then gave up. "No fuckin' fair! I wasn't ready!"

Warren chuckled at the whining. "And you think your attacker will wait for you to be ready?" That triggered more ineffective squirming and tugging until Warren finally relented and let the kid go.

Flint coughed and rubbed his throat. "But you shoulda said we was startin'!"

Warren only slid the teen a get-real look out of the corner of his eye as he took position. "Okay, this time I'm warning you, ju-u-ust like the bad guys are going to," he announced with thick sarcasm.

Flint went into his apparent 'I'm ready' position and Warren feigned a forward lunge, splaying wings for effect. The kid nearly stumbled backwards over his own feet. "Shit! Fuck! Don't fake me out like that, man!" Warren took advantage of the flustered youth and shot forward, swiped Flint's ankles out from under him, and as ass hit floor, Warren was right on top of him, knee to gut, and hands to throat. Warren smirked amid the flailing legs and hands that tried to dislodge his frontal chokehold.

"Let me up!" Flint squeaked out.

Warren did not.

"Fuck, War. Let me up!"

Warren held him and didn't say a word as Flint glared and swore and punched and flopped around like a dying fish. Finally, the teen ran out of steam. "Are you done now?"

Flint nodded against the Warren's grip. Releasing, Warren got slowly up, then deftly dodged an attempt to kick his feet out from under him.

"Goddamn birdass!"

Warren raised his eyebrows as Flint got up. "Birdass. Can't say I've heard that one before," he replied smoothly and he gave his wings a quick snap. "And here I thought it was my wings that pegged me part bird."

Flint grumbled something Warren chose not to hear as he moved into position.

"'Spose this means I don't go with ya to the citadel." The venom was dripping.

"I suppose you're right."

Flint apparently moved the wrong way and a grimace crossed his face. Warren figured Flint may need extra chair cushioning for a couple days.

"How 'bout three outta four?" Warren watched as Flint began moving around in nervous energy. He would have laid money on…

Then Flint made another quick dart for the side of the square and Warren once again foiled the attempt with an arm block across the abdomen, then a quick knee into the back of Flint's thigh to put him into aerial backward rotation, and then let gravity take his victim from there. The teen landed hard on his back as the wind expelled from his lungs with a whoomph. A stunned Flint blinked up at Warren.

"Get up."

"Fuck you, man!"

Warren dodged a leg kick. "That was childish. Get up."

Flint muttered and scrambled to his feet, decidedly unsteady.

"Are you convinced yet you're not ready?"

Flint shot Warren a look that could melt steel. "You can take your fuckin' lessons and fuckin' cram them where the sun don't shine! Fuckin' stupid. I have powers – I don't need nothin' else!"

"You are so wrong it's pathetic. X-men spend years training and only part of that is to learn how to use their powers. Most of it is exactly the stuff I'm willing to teach you if you have the balls to drop the attitude and learn." Warren crossed his arms and made a point of studying Flint from top to bottom measuring him up. "Which part of your anatomy do you want bruised next?" Warren chided himself briefly for taking a little too much pleasure in the situation.

Flint suddenly sprang toward Warren in an all-to-obvious surprise attack. Warren dodged easily and Flint sailed by and landed with a thud and an umph on his belly from Warren's well-placed undercut.

"We've got the back, ass, left side, and front covered. We're making good progress."

Flint gave the floor a string of expletives before getting to his feet and giving Warren the finger.

"The first thing you need is an attitude adjustment. Second is self-defense lessons."

Flint flipped Warren off again. "If I used my powers, ya wouldn't get close enough for me to hafta use self-defense!" Flint argued.

"And if nothing around you is combustible? If your opponent can't be set on fire? Or you're taken by surprise? Then what?"

"Well, I… There's always something around I could burn. Create a distraction or something. Burn their clothes. That'd get 'em!"

"And if they don't have on clothes?"

Flint laughed. "Yeah, like the bad guys are gonna be runnin' around naked!"

"Sentinels. Shapeshifters. Aliens that don't need outerwear." Warren listed off three examples of those who may not have on flammable clothing.

"I'd just set somethin' around us on fire."

"Rocks, concrete, water, metal rooms…"

Flint started circling Warren nervously. The kid was running out of arguments. Time for an example of what could be done to escape. In a blur of motion, Warren snagged the teen by the back of the collar, and slammed Flint's back into his chest, once again locked the teen into a rear chokehold.

"Now if I turn this chokehold into a blood hold, you'll be unconscious in seconds. It shuts off the blood supply to the brain. How do you break out quickly enough to avoid that?"

"Set those damn feathers of yours on fire!" The strangled words seared with yet another perceived humiliation.

"Pretend I'm not flammable."

Flint repeated the same useless tactics as before. Warren applied pressure to the jugulars. The kid ceased struggling almost instantly as the quick effects of hypoxia affected his brain. He gave the kid just a taste and eased up.

"See how quickly you succumb? All your flailing about gains you nothing but unconsciousness or death. Want to know how to get out of this predicament?"

Flint nodded. Warren could almost feel smoldering heat surround his skin. If the kid lost control… He shook off the thought and visions of burnt feathers.

"I have your head immobilized and you're not going to break the chokehold with your hands, but you've got the rest of your body to work with. That's your ticket. First, you're going to cause me pain. Raise up your knee and slam your heel down to the ground with all your strength."

"What's that gonna do, 'sides get Vo mad at me."

"Do it or we stop your training now," Warren snarled. The kid had to learn to do as he was told without argument.

Flint did as instructed, but with less than effective force.

"Harder," Warren ordered.

Flint repeated the floor stomp, but with more gusto.

"Harder!" he snarled with a sharp squeeze to Flint's neck.

"Mother fucking son of a bitch!" the teen fumed, but did as Warren commanded. This time the force was likely sufficient to cause some real hurt for most people.

"Better. Now you're going to do that to my foot." Warren prepared himself for the coming pain.

Flint jerked. "But I don't wanna hurt ya!"

Warren sighed. "Flint, this is combat training. We're going to hurt each other, but it's necessary. Believe me when I say it will hurt a lot less than when our enemies attack. Now do as you're told and quit with the back-talking. Aim at my foot. Feel with your leg where it is. Raise your leg up and slam your heel into the top of my foot with everything you got."

Flint did as he was told and pain flashed through Warren's foot and his gripped loosen ever so slightly even though he was prepared. "Now see what happened? My grip loosened. That's your opportunity to step wide away from me. At the same time, give me a hard jab into my side with your elbow."

Without retightening his grip, he gave Flint step-by-step instructions on the elbow thrust, teaching him how to add impact by using the power of his thighs to help propel his body into the hit.

"Now with me in more pain and my grip even looser, grab my elbow with one hand and my shoulder with another, thrust your hips back into me then pull my arm and shoulder forward and down as you twist toward the opposite shoulder. Use my weight and change in center of gravity against me. Your goal is for me to hit the floor."

And the lesson continued, repeating the same maneuvers over and over, with Warren enduring the shots of pain, while his healing factor allowed for quick recovery. Flint, though, had no such healing abilities and he was obviously hurting from head to toe.

Warren gave Flint a smile. "Congratulations, you survived your first lesson."

Flint brightened immediately. "That mean I get ta go?"

"No."

Anger reignited in the teen's eyes. "What the fuck? Why not?"

"Because you need more training. Keeping Ettwanae safe will be enough challenge. I can't spread myself too thin or we could all be captured or killed. Even I know my limits, Flint. One completely untrained sidekick is enough."

"But I could help!"

"No. That decision is not up for discussion. But if you train hard and learn to take orders, then I'll reconsider for our next mission."

Flint huffed, his arms crossed, and a scowl twisted the young face. "Is Twae and Gatebi gonna train?"

"Ettwanae, yes, at some point. Gatebi will learn some basic self-defense, but I see her playing a different role."

Flint switched attitude with that, and the glower disappeared. "Yeah, she wouldn't be any good in a fight, even trained. Just not who she is. Gabby's more a behind the scenes type."

"Exactly. She'll do best in a logistics role. I may have her learn basic first-aid as well. If either you or she get injured, I want someone else besides me knowing how to handle that."

Flint rubbed his smarting hip. "Wonder if there's anythin' to get rid of bruises in the Empire?" Flint actually chuckled lightly.

"So I take it you want to continue your lessons?"

"Yeah, man! It don't get no better than to learn from an X-man. I wanna be like a ninja." Flint sliced the air with his arms and flat hands to mimic martial arts moves, shouting his kia. "Hoi-ya!" Then he laughed at himself.

Warren chuckled as well. He may actually enjoy teaching Flint if the kid kept the attitude in check. "Well, it won't be exactly martial arts you learn, but I'm going teach you how to defend yourself long enough to have a fighting chance at survival." Flint beamed. "Next lesson is tomorrow. Hit the showers, kid!"

With a bit of a limp, Flint headed for the lift to Volu's second level. Warren watched him leave, smirking. 'Yup, this may be a good idea all around. Good for Flint and for me. Something to do besides sitting alone in the cargo hold reading. Just have to figure out how to do the same with Ettwanae.'

Then he bristled at himself as images of training with Ettwanae sent warmth to various portions of his anatomy. 'For the love of God!' he bemoaned with a heavy sigh. Then he returned to his reading corner to past the time while waiting for his turn at the bathroom. It may have to be more than just a shower…

###

"No, General, I was unsuccessful in reaching Archangel. Xavier also just left me a message that he faired no better. We can only hope the PI is in standby mode and Archangel will contact us as soon as he activates it." Ztar chose not to contemplate more dire reasons their comms were going unreturned.

"Our intercept team missed him at Gnaza Supply by mere hours. The Tchut authorities are questioning the delay. Stjarmas'de is personally reassuring them that Archangel is simply off-link temporarily as he travels."

"That only buys us a little time. After they left Thael, what was their trajectory?"

"All we were able to detect before we lost the trace was their trajectory. Two systems lie in that general linear path, the old Tikz Kelt Neutrality and Egatrac Alliance, which combined contain 20 inhabited worlds. Additionally, there are numerous non-contact and uninhabited systems along that course."

"And if we look at the trajectory precisely and assume no deviation?"

"The possible destinations narrow to six, but even there we must assume a course correction. No planet lies in a straight path to their initial course."

"A wise captain on that ship. One does not make it easy for pursuers. Then all we can do is wait for a signal from Archangel's PI. Have we determined with more certainty about why the tracer is lost? Their cloak? A different FTL technology?"

"Our technicians believe it is linked to the both the ship's FTL drive and cloak. Certain characteristics of the signal loss have lead to a theory that a form of spatial distortion may be involved. Unfortunately, if that is the case, we may not have the technology to overcome the signal loss."

Ztar considered that momentarily. A people who were space faring when Turzents were using stones for tools would naturally still be far ahead of their vaunted Imperial advances. But Gtar-Cro and the comm techs did not know they were dealing with an Esserru ship and that's how it must remain if Ztar was to keep his vow to Archangel. "Very well, General. Notify me immediately if we receive any signal."

"Naturally, my Emperor."

As the PI went blank, Ztar sighed. They needed to reach Archangel. Already the comnet was beginning to hint that perhaps someone as high up as a Royal Court member was being sought for questioning. Leaks were forming as the investigation broadened. It was only a matter of time before the full story was revealed.

With a heavy heart, Ztar spoke the one name he always turned to in matters of public relations. "Jharda." The comm immediately sent its highly encrypted signal out to find the corresponding PI. Jharda was already traveling to Tchutchka Centrus to meet up with Stjarmas'de in anticipation of the media firestorm to come. The voice of the Royal Court of Ztar, head of Planetary Relations, his intended Empress, and mother of the Empire's future ruler had her work cut out for her.

###

Lust exploded within him like a small nuclear bomb. He went blind to everything else and before he realized what was happening, he had slammed her against the wall, their mouths crushed together; groans of desire escaping between breaths.

She tore at his clothes and his mouth. "Mate!" the voice inside commanded. 'Yes!' she agreed in silent enthusiasm. He was what she wanted – all that she wanted. Old bonds be damn! A tsunami of instinctual drive swept away rational thought.

"Oh fuckin' mother of god! I'm going to be sick." Flint backed away in repugnance. "Dudes, get a room!" he yelled.

"Ettwanae, stop!" Gatebi yelled grabbing the other woman's arm and promptly found herself flying backward with force, landing hard on her derrière. Flint was next to her in an instant.

"Hey, if she wants to get humped like a bitch in heat, I say let 'er go!" he offered his teenage wisdom. Flint would have preferred using an avian example instead of referencing dogs, but he couldn't come up with anything that got the point across quite as vividly. 'Always next time.'

"Flint!" the tone was the perfect blend of shock and censure. "They can't do this, remember? They'll be hurt," she said angrily, shaking his hand loose from her arm.

He snorted. "So they can't actually fuck – let 'em at least have some fun." That got him an icy glare.

"I'll handle this," Volu's voice filled the room.

/ Ettwanae. Stop now. /

No response, unless you counted the piece of clothing dropped to the floor.

/ Ettwanae! If you do not cease, I will take immediate action. /

Another piece of torn fabric fell.

/ I am sorry, my Poda. This is for your safety. / With that, Volu released a narrowly directed sonic burst at the tightly entangled pair.

The pain was excruciating, like a large needle ramming through both eardrums. They cried out unison, cupping hands to ears, the flames of desire instantly extinguished.

"What the hell was that!" Warren demanded, reeling from the attack, the world slightly off kilter.

Flint smirked. "It's called a bucket of ice water, bud."

Gatebi got to her feet and straightened her clothes. "Ettwanae, are you alright?" she asked her friend.

"She'll be a lot better once she can ride his schlong," Flint snickered.

Gatebi sighed a very human sign of disgust.

Ettwanae dropped her hands, the ringing in her ears still loud. She ignored Gatebi's question. "Volu, what were you trying to do?"

"Intervene before you were injured. You must restraint yourselves."

Warren reached out and took Ettwanae's wrist and felt her trembling and realized the same of himself. His groin throbbed. 'Jesus, can't take hitting the brakes like that!' He bit his lip.

Things had been just fine a few minutes earlier. They were sitting around in the lounge, Warren telling stories of his more humorous X-man misadventures at Flint's prompting. Ettwanae was seated near him, too close now in retrospect, but Aru had been quiet that day. He felt her watching him as he wove his tales, laughing with the others at some of the antics of his early days as a mutant crime fighter. He shared silly shenanigans and stunts he, Bobby, and Hank would pull. Her gaze gradually became almost physical, he recalled. It touched his face, cheeks, and lips and slid over his shoulders, along the wings. After that, things were a bit fuzzy. Next thing he knew, they were lip-locked and trying to get each other's clothes off. Warren shook his head to clear it. The effort was only partially successful. There was nothing fuzzy, though, about the ache in his groin or ears, but already the healing factor melting away the aftereffects of the sonic 'bucket of ice water.'

Flint took a couple steps toward Warren. "That was a hell of a lustbuster. You okay, man?"

"You two clear out," Warren said with a wave of his hand at Gatebi and Flint. "Ettwanae and I need to talk."

"Hey, we was just tryin' to help!"

Warren looked at the teen. "I know. Thank you. But Ettwanae and I need some privacy right now."

Gatebi and Flint exchanged worried looks. "Come on, Flint," the Alcab encouraged as she moved toward the exit.

"You two behave yourselves or Volu will zap ya again!" Flint tossed a smirk their way as he disappeared into the hall. The door dilated close.

Warren slid his hands up Ettwanae's arms and rested them on her shoulders. "I don't know how long I can do this," he said in a near whisper. "I need you," he admitted with simplicity.

Tears sprang up instantly in Ettwanae's eyes. "I know."

"It is as I warned. The longing will be great and become torment," the Eshaar'ne reminded.

Warren wasn't ready to give up. "Volu, how far can Ettwanae and I…go…before the bonding is attempted?"

"That is difficult to predict, but the longer you are touching, the closer you come to copulation, the higher the likelihood Aru will take over as it just did and you will lose control of yourselves."

"And Ura – when will that kick in to stop us?"

"Just before you copulate."

"So if we don't get too close to intercourse, the attempt to bond will be held off?" Ettwanae was watching his eyes with intensity.

"In theory, yes. But as soulbounds, the need to mate may be beyond your ability to control. Instinct will take over, as was the case today."

"And what if we ignore the pain and complete the act?"

"I do not believe it is possible to ignore that level of pain, Warren."

Ettwanae was squeezing his forearms. "For argument's sake, Volu, what if we could. What would happen?"

"I am uncertain. I have no recorded memory of that ever occurring."

"Is there a way to force a second bond?"

"Warren, everything says no."

"Just because there is no record of it, doesn't mean it can't happen. If two soulbounds are determined enough to try, maybe it's possible." He didn't like being told something couldn't be done.

Volu was quiet for many moments. "That is true, Warren, but the pain would be excruciating. Even if you have the will, your body may not be capable of the final act under those conditions."

"That is also true, Volu. Yet if there is even a remote chance…"

"Then we should try," Ettwanae completed his thought. "I'm willing to endure much if we can force a bonding."

"The risk you take is more than physical discomfort, Ettwanae. You may be risking permanent Aru damage. And any attempt may intensify the urgings you are already having difficulty resisting. There simply is no way to predict the ramifications. It could be more dangerous than we know."

"So you're saying we shouldn't try?" Warren dropped his hands and took one of Ettwanae's into his, entwining their fingers, almost daring Ura to protest.

"What I am saying is that the price may be very high."

"But the rewards could be great as well! If we can force a bond, then the amulet may activate once we get the other two nodes. And this slow torture we live with every day would be over. We need to be joined, Volu. I'm-" he looked quick to Ettwanae's face, "we're becoming desperate."

Ettwanae nodded. "I agree with Warren. I'm willing to try. We either take the chance or continue as we are. I want to try despite the risks."

Silence hung heavy for many heartbeats. "Your physical bodies can repair a lot of damage. I do not see that as the greatest risk. Lifeforce injury is another matter and worries me most. It could leave you in a catatonic state, insane, dead, or with a much-shortened life expectancy. I simply do not know. Are you willing to accept those possibilities?"

Warren fixed his gaze on Ettwanae. "Catatonic, insane, dead – we wouldn't be aware of what we sacrificed. A shortened life? None of us know when our time is over. We could all die tomorrow regardless if we make the attempt or not. The alternative is to continue living as we are; knowing there was something more we could have tried. If Ettwanae is willing, I say we try."

Ettwanae nodded. "I'm willing. I want to know we've tried everything."

Volu was quiet too long. Warren and Ettwanae exchange worried glances. "What do you think she's thinking?" he whispered.

Ettwanae had a guess. It would be a reasonable assumption. "Volu lost her previous other and it caused her to attempt ru'zha. If she loses me…" Ettwanae shook her head slowly.

"So more is at risk than you and I. Perhaps Volu and as a byproduct, Flint and Gatebi as well."

"Yes. If Volu should kill herself with Flint and Gatebi onboard…" She let the thought dangle.

"Then we shouldn't try unless they are safe. And we shouldn't do this unless Volu is also willing."

Ettwanae nodded. She wasn't yet ready to sacrifice her Eshaar'ne for her own needs. "Volu, I won't do this unless you consent."

Silence still.

"Volu? Did you hear me?" Then Ettwanae reached out with her mind. / My precious Eshaar'ne, tell me your thoughts. /

Hesitation. Then, / I fear for you and for me. /

/ Then we will not make the attempt. We will continue searching for the nodes and Etxan'Ir as we have been. /

/ But your anguish eats at my soul as it does yours. The pain is too great to bear for time indeterminate. /

/ It won't be forever, Volu. We'll find Etxan'Ir. /

Ettwanae refocused on Warren's face. "Volu and I are talking, Warren. Could you leave me for awhile?" He nodded and was gone. She took a seat.

/ But how long will that take, Ettwanae? Weeks more, months, years? All the while, you are suffering. Will life become unbearable if we continue as we are? I believe it will. /

/ But we would be alive and relatively well. Warren and I can deal with the need – we are strong. We won't be happy about it, but we can endure it as we've been doing. /

/ No, Ettwanae. The need will eventually consume you and drive you to desperation or insanity. I cannot condemn you to that fate for my sake. It would be too cruel. /

/ Isn't desperation where we are already? /

/ No, Ettwanae. The simple fact you are talking rationally about the situation clearly says you have not reached that point. Desperation will come when you no longer can talk of whether or not, you will only act without thought to the consequences. Now is the time to make a decision, not under the influence of irrational aberration. /

/ What are you saying, Volu? /

/ Try. /

/ Despite all the risks? /

/ Yes, if it is what you both consent to, fully aware of the risks. /

/ And what if the worst happens? What of you? /

/ I have made my decision. Try – for all our sakes. /

Ettwanae let a tear run down her cheek. "I love you, Volu. So very, very much."

"And I, you, my Poda."

###

Warren waited anxiously for Ettwanae in the hall. Lives possibly hung in the balance of their decision. Would trying be the right thing to do or selfish and foolhardy? If only he and Ettwanae were at risk, he'd try without question, but it wasn't so simple.

Far more quickly than he had thought, Ettwanae emerged from the gathering room. She looked weary. 'Is the news bad?' he wondered, but waited for her to speak.

"Volu agrees we should try."

Warren was actually surprised. After Volu's harsh warnings about protecting Ettwanae, it seemed odd. "She's certain?"

"Yes," the answer was barely audible. "She loves me and wants me to be happy. We must take precautions; I won't risk Gatebi and Flint if the worst happens."

He sighed and closed his eyes, leaning against the wall. Why can't things ever be easy? "Then we should wait until after Neu. I don't want anything to interfere with that mission. If we're successful, maybe we'll decide differently."

"My decision won't change," she said touching his arm and he reopened his eyes.

"The nodes must be top priority." Then he gave her a lopsided grin. "Sex can wait a bit longer." Even the word rewarmed his groin.

He watched her pupils dilate and her irises darken sensually. "If our plan works, you and I are going to be very busy between missions," she promised seductively.

Warren groaned. It was the last thing he needed to hear at that moment. He cleared his throat and backed away from the beautiful temptation that stood far too close. "After Neu. It's a date." Then he quickly excused himself and headed for the back corner of the cargo hold.

###

The next day, they arrived at their destination – Neu. Warren, Ettwanae, Flint, and Gatebi examined the holo image Volu projected at the front of the bridge. There was no missing the structure that could only be the work of advanced technology. Inky black, it stood in bold contrast to the almost ivory-colored stone-faced mountain. Smooth, flawless, without protrusion or recess, it made for an imposing sight. Built into a crevice, the semi-circular structure was wedged between the rocky walls. A narrow path that clung precariously to the side of the mountain led to the citadel, ending at the foot of the black fortress, but with no obvious entry portal. 'Yet there must be a door, or why else the path?' Warren concluded. 'One path to the citadel, one escape route – unless you can fly.' Warren allowed himself a small mental smile.

Flint whistled his appreciation of the structure rumored to belong to the mysterious group known as the Dark Ones. "Impressive! Fits their name."

"What do your scanners tell us?" Warren prompted.

"Unfortunately, Warren, not nearly enough. I am unable to penetrate the structure and the exterior yields little, as well. I can detect no openings or other possibilities for entry. Above the citadel, there is a flattened area that is likely a landing pad," Volu brightened that portion of the hologram, "but I find no pathway from there to the citadel. Perhaps a shielded entrance can be found at that location."

"They gotta come out once in a while, Vo, so there's gotta be doors," the teen pointed out as he popped a piece of candy into his mouth. While on Tchutchka Centrus, he'd restocked his personal stash, enduring another of Gatebi's lectures over stealing anything not essential to sustaining life. Even on Thael with Ztar Almighty's credit card, she'd lectured him over spending money on non-nutritional foodstuffs. Gabby could be a real bitch.

"Doors are likely, Flint. Finding and opening them is another matter," the Alcab pointed out. "Tunnel entrances would be in keeping with fortresses of old. Perhaps a scan further away from the structure would reveal such an opening."

"I found no such entrances or tunnels." Volu's reply came swiftly, implying she'd already thought of that.

Everyone sighed in disappointment. Flint obviously had enough standing, and he moved to a spot on the floor, back against Volu's bulkhead.

Ettwanae pulled on the chain that held her amulet and examined it. "My amulet is quiet. Are you still unable to sense the nodes?"

"I cannot. My memories tell me that should not be possible, leaving only two explanations."

"Either their shields are extremely advanced or the nodes aren't here," Warren offered.

"Correct."

Ettwanae sat in the bridge chair with a heavy exhale and Gatebi sought her own seat on the hard-yet-soft floor of the bridge.

Warren leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, choosing to remain standing. He was liking the citadel situation less and less. "For argument's sake, let's assume the nodes are here. If these Dark Ones are as rumored, they will not take kindly to us attempting to retrieve your property. Knocking at their door and asking to pretty please return the nodes probably won't work." He let sarcasm come through. Flint snickered. Gatebi and Ettwanae rewarded Warren with tiny smiles. "Being serious, now – we'll be taking a huge risk on scant intel. We know little about our adversary and even less about their facility. And should we find a way in, which is looking to be a challenge in itself, we have no idea where to begin searching for the nodes. From a strategy perspective, a raid on the citadel is foolhardy. The odds of finding the nodes are extremely low. Odds of getting out alive with the nodes are even lower."

Ettwanae already looked defeated. He wished he hadn't had to be so blunt about their chances, but as leader of their little expedition, it was his job to ensure their safety. A raid on the mountainside fortress would be perilous at best. 'God, how I wish the X-men were there. Our chances would be vastly improved.'

"If you gain access to the citadel, Warren, then Ettwanae's amulet should detect the nodes, unless they are further shielded."

"Like a homing beacon?" Flint asked.

"Not precisely, but the amulet will respond to their proximity when it draws close."

Ettwanae nodded at Flint. "Like it did at the museum a year ago."

"We still need more information. I will not send us blindly into an already precarious situation. What are our options? Ideas?" he asked of everyone, looking from face to face. Blank expressions were his only answer. He was about to suggest a scouting mission to the suspected landing pad – risky in itself, but he saw no other option – when Volu spoke.

"I have been listening to the Neus who live in the village beneath the fortress. Their language is simple and easily learned. Apparently, the fortress inhabitants are viewed as gods. They have made several references even in our brief time here about service to the gods on the mountain. Perhaps more can be learned by visiting those people."

"Why not just keep using your super-ears, Vo? Why go mingling with the natives?" Flint countered. He clearly looked uncertain about the suggestion. "They're like back in the old days yet, right? Spears and arrows and the whole bit? They'd probably see us as demons or somethin' equally good to kill – maybe even eat!"

Gatebi laughed. "Flint, sometimes your imagination runs ahead of your thinking brain. Why would they want to eat us?"

"Cannibals – they could be cannibals. It's possible." Flint crossed his arms as he defended his imagination.

"I have heard no references to cannibalistic tendencies, Flint. I believe them to be mostly peaceful as the weapons I have detected fall into typical hunting tools classification."

"Oh, yeah. Like for hunting aliens! They'll freak, I'm telling ya. Just like a lot of humans would freak if an alien walked up to them on the street lookin' for info. 'Hi, I'm from out there,' " Flint started pointing up, " 'and need to know 'bout your so-called gods so's I can steal some of their stuff. Actually, it's my stuff, but that's a long story, so you've just gotta trust me. Ya mind tellin' me what you know 'bout those guys on the mountain?' Ri-i-ight," Flint nodded with exaggeration, "that's gonna go over well!"

Warren couldn't help but chuckle. Flint was living up to his role as comic relief yet again. "Okay, I'll give you that, Flint. We'll need some sort of cover story if we go down there. Volu's idea is about the only option I see right now. Perhaps the Neus can give us something useful on the fortress or the Dark Ones."

"They have already shown a predisposition to belief in gods. Perhaps approach them as messengers or emissaries of those gods," Gatebi offered.

"Go on," Warren encouraged.

"Most peoples have spiritual leaders. That would be the person likely to possess the type of information we need. What if we send the two most awe-inspiring of us to visit their cleric? Under that guise, you could ask questions to test his or her knowledge and not sound as if it is you who is ignorant."

Warren nodded. The idea had promise. "We'd need to know enough to sound convincing, or the cleric may wonder if he's being tricked by evil forces into revealing what he should not. Something to be cognizant of," Warren cautioned.

"You should both review the files I collected during my Dark Ones investigation," Volu noted.

"And I'm making an assumption here, Gatebi, that you're referring to me and Ettwanae being the ones to visit the village?"

She part with a wide grin. "I can't think of a more breathtaking sight than two winged beings landing in the middle of their village, can you?"

"And if the meet 'n greet party isn't so welcoming, a phase gun blast or two should settle them down in no time," the teen opinioned. "Now that'd be awe-inspiring to a bunch of savages."

"The Neu are far from savages, Flint," Volu chided. "They have a very complex society. The village is actually quite impressive for their stage of development."

"Yeah, well, once they got computers and HDTV, I'll be impressed," Flint snorted.

Warren glanced first at Ettwanae in her captain's chair, then Flint and Gatebi parked on the floor. "Unless anyone has a better idea, we'll go with Gatebi's suggestion." He saw nothing to indicate any other strokes of brilliance. "Okay, let's flesh out the details."

Over the next hour, they determined how best to approach the villagers, using what Volu discovered in her monitoring of the people she learned called themselves Booettu. When done, Warren decided to synch up with the village's day/night pattern before embarking on their scouting mission, Using a sleep-aid that somewhere along the way Gatebi had wisely obtained, they rested until the Neu village's morning. Everyone needed to be fresh. Meanwhile, Volu remained vigilant to any signs that the Dark Ones had detected their presence.

###

Seven days had passed since Ztar learned of the situation on Tchutchka Centrus. Seven days they had been trying to reach Archangel. Seven days of stalling and trying to appear as if they weren't. Tchut authorities were no longer buying what Jharda and Stjarmas'de were selling as explanations. One Tchut newscast stated authorities were close to submitting a Full Order against a top-level government official in the triple murder case. If that happened, Archangel would be publicly named as the prime suspect. The news had sent his blood pressure skyrocketing.

Ztar was one very unhappy Emperor.

The head of Military Intelligence faced his ruler on that particularly irritating day. The energy build-up leaching off the powerful mutant was causing his PI to transmit a less than clear image of the Emperor as he took Gtar-Cro's comm call. What Gtar-Cro could see did not reassure. Ztar was pacing…never good – another sign of intense agitation in the man.

"General, I want Archangel. I don't care what our subspace comm specialists say – I want them to figure out a way to trace his PI and I want it done now!"

The Emperor's deep voice reverberated off the hard surfaces of the ready room on Gtar-Cro's cruiser. "My Emperor, please if you give me a moment-"

"We don't have any more moments, General!" Ztar snarled his interruption. "Our Court is under fire. Tchut Security is looking for blood. Archangel must be found!"

Gtar-Cro tried again to get out his news. "My Emperor…Ztar," he used the Emperor's name, which he rarely did. "We may have done that just that."

Ztar stopped in his tracks and swung to face the screen. "What? You found a way to trace his PI despite the interference?"

"No, but we may have a lead on Archangel's whereabouts. Someone who was standing outside the shop in Im overheard Archangel mention the planet Neu to his travel companion as they left."

Ztar's frown only deepened as he started back toward his desk. "I don't recall a planet by that name."

"It's a primitive world, but inhabited."

"A non-contact world? What would Archangel be doing there?" He sat down heavily. The strain of the past several days was etched in his features.

The image on Gtar-Cro's PI viewscreen cleared. "We do not know, but the shop patron said Archangel mentioned the planet quite clearly. I have a ship enroute."

"Could the man called Tider confirm? Did Archangel say anything to him?"

"No."

"This witness checks out?" Ztar squinted coldly at his general.

"Yes. Although the woman would not submit to a telepathic probe, she was carefully interrogated and we believe she is being truthful and her recollection accurate."

"Who's ship is enroute? Who are you sending?"

"I've dispatched the Tre'endt."

Ztar blinked. "That's your cruiser."

"Exactly, my Emperor. Fortuitously, we are roughly four days away at our maximum speed. With luck, Archangel will still be there when we arrive."

"You've no closer ships?"

"Closer distance wise, yes. Any that can be there sooner? No."

Ztar nodded understanding. The Tre'endt was the fastest class ship in the Imperial fleet – Royal. Few people had the security clearance to know exactly how fast. Gtar-Cro's course of action left Ztar with a potentially sticky problem. The General was not privy to with whom Archangel traveled. Ztar's vow to Archangel was possibly in jeopardy. The Tre'endt was the Empire's most advanced ship, aside from Ztar's Mi-Lartui. Would the General discover something he should not with the cutting-edge technology at his disposal? More troubling was the thought of Archangel and the Esserru's reaction when their ship detected Gtar-Cro's vessel entering the Neu system. Few conclusions could be drawn other than they were somehow tracking Archangel.

Ztar shook his head. No. Archangel needed to be located. He had to allow this to happen. Assuming, that is, the lead was legitimate and Archangel was still there when the General arrived. Ztar would deal with the fallout later.

"My Emperor?" Gtar-Cro's questioning voice revealed he picked up Ztar's hesitation.

"Good, General. That is good. But do not act without my direct order, is that understood? You are to confirm his presence only – you are not to contact or intercept unless I authorize that action. You are to do nothing that reveals you have even detected their ship. Am I clear?"

Gtar-Cro's usually unreadable face showed surprise, albeit someone who did not know the man well may have missed it. "Yes, my Emperor. Confirm only. No action."

###

Neu was a mountainous world; everywhere Volu had scanned showed at least low ranges. The highest peaks dwarfed Mount Everest, soaring to over 45,000 feet, Warren estimated converting from imperial measurement. 'A whole world encompassing my favorite environment – could live here,' Warren imagined. Yet the air was heavier and felt almost thick. It would sustain them, though strenuous activity would be hampered, Volu warned. Added to that was the unexpected warmth – much more so than you'd expect at the elevation the village rested. So by the end of their flight from the valley Volu had chosen for their hideaway, Warren and Ettwanae were winded. The trick was not to show it – messengers of the gods should not be out of breath.

He made certain they were seen coming from the direction of the citadel and did their very best to look awe-inspiring, as Gatebi had put it. A few sharp-eyed Booettu spotted them from a distance and went running inside. Others ducked into their stacked-stone dwellings or hid behind whatever was handy to watch warily. As their feet touched down, Warren kept wings splayed just a little longer than necessary. 'Leave them with that image.' He pulled the handheld translator from his pocket Gatebi dug out from storage, and waited for someone to approach. The feel of many sets of watching eyes was almost tactile.

It wasn't long before three Booettus approached. Two males bore weapons that looked like a cross between a long spear and short-blade scythe. Between them walked a female, ornately dressed. 'Village priestess?' he wondered. 'Tribal leader at a minimum.' Volu's scans revealed females and males differed in outward appearance in only one easily observed respect – females were embellished with a forehead mark of various designs above the left eye. Volu believed they were crest marks or similar. It would in keeping with a matriarchal society that women would carry heraldic symbols.

Ettwanae leaned toward him and whispered. "Volu says this is their cleric, Aunu."

The Booettus were a tall, lean people. Warren estimated the shortest of the trio was a good four inches taller than he was. One of the males likely topped out near seven feet. Their deep, golden-brown skin was in stark contrast to the large, bright green eyes. Facial features included two eyes, a barely-there nose, and mouth in the standard locations, but they were bald and had no eyebrows. The likely ears were large and shaped more like discs on either side of their head. Some of their height came from the long neck, half again longer than a typical Human's. Their thin bodies were taut and well muscled, with large hands and feet. On the hands gripping the spears, Warren saw no nails, and counted only four digits.

Out of the corner of his eye, Warren saw others gather in the nooks and recesses of the nearby stacked-stone buildings, all with the same weapons. He would not let anyone get too close. If he and Ettwanae needed to make a hasty retreat, he wanted plenty of room for take-off. "No fast movements," he whispered to Ettwanae. "Stay loose, don't look like you feel nervous," he whispered back while relaxing his wings that had unconsciously pulled tight to his body. Ettwanae did likewise.

As the nervous-looking group came within a few yards, he gently raised his hand in a halt signal. The meaning was apparently understood as the greeting party stopped. With translator held out in front of them in his upturned palm, Ettwanae began. "We bring you greetings from the Ediu," she said invoking the name the Booettu used for the citadel inhabitants. They decided after learning females were likely in charge that Ettwanae would do most of the talking, at least initially.

Volu had done her job well as there was no hesitation in their response. The two males dipped their heads and extended an upturned hand while the female extended both hands slowly from her sides, held them still briefly, then pulled them to her chest. "Ediu greetings bless us and keep us safe. We humbly accept."

"Aunu, we have come to speak with you. May we do so privately?"

The woman hesitated, her guards tensed, and Warren did likewise, but careful not allowed his body to reveal that.

"The Ediu have not sent your kind before. What are we to call you?"

"Angels," Warren blurted out. Something told him not to let Ettwanae speak her true species name. Aunu's eyes darted to his with obvious surprise he could read even without knowing her species.

"He speaks with the enthusiasm of a young one, Aunu. The Ediu hold us for only the most important of messages. They have concerns. Perhaps we can speak quietly."

An expression crossed the woman's face that could mean worry or confusion. Warren smiled inwardly at Ettwanae. She was attempting to redirect any rising suspicions. Several anxious moments passed in silence.

"As Ediu command, I shall obey," the cleric finally said dipping her head. Aunu and her escort turned to head toward one of the nearby stone structures of the small village. As Aunu entered, the males stood one to each side to flank the entrance. Ettwanae and Warren followed inside, where much cooler air greeted them. Warren breathed in mild relief. He never was a lover of heat and Neu's sun was strong. A fire ring encircled with many short, simple benches lined with colorfully woven blankets anchored the center of the one-room building. The corresponding hole in the roof above the pit would allow smoke to escape. Many handcrafted items hung from the walls. 'Perhaps religious items and this is their church of sorts,' Warren conjectured.

Aunu gestured toward the benches and they sat. She held herself stiffly, obviously nervous or perhaps somewhat fearful of what was to come. Ettwanae waited for Aunu to speak.

"Have my people done something to anger the gods?" she asked.

"No, your people have not."

"Do you come with a warning? Will the mountain shake again?"

'Earthquake warning?' Warren immediately speculated. Did the Dark Ones predict those and alert the villagers?

"We come with no warnings," Ettwanae answered. She put an empathetic, but firm look on her face. "Their concern is with you, Aunu."

The alien's large eyes widened. "With me? But why?"

"As spiritual leader, your words and actions carry great weight. They must speak purely and correctly. The Ediu must know the people are hearing truth."

"But I follow the teachings exactly!" The woman was beginning to look afraid. "The words are my mother's and my mother's mother, precisely as given to us by the first ones. Our ceremonies are as prescribed – I am certain of it."

Ettwanae gave Aunu a reassuring nod of the head. "Your ceremonies are as commanded. Concern lies elsewhere – in other knowledge. Casual talk of the citadel and other events. We were sent to hear from your own lips what you know and what you've shared. Then we are to take those words back."

Aunu's demeanor grew even more frightened. "I am being judged?" she asked in a whispery voice.

Ettwanae smiled. "No, Aunu. This is not judgment. This is teaching. If any of your words are misguided, you will be given the true words by the Ediu so that you and your people are bearers only of truth."

Warren heard the private sarcasm in Ettwanae's words. If only the unwitting Booettu knew who their gods really were – aliens with a less than honorable reputation.

"A cleansing?" she asked what Warren interpreted as relief. Although Warren had no idea what a cleansing entailed, it appeared Aunu was not fearful of it.

Ettwanae's eyes darted to Warren – he read their hesitation and gave her an ever-so-slight nod. So far, she was performing brilliantly and he was proud of Ettwanae.

"Yes, to remove any misunderstandings or misinterpretations."

Aunu touched her hands to her chest in apparent religious symbolism. "I wish only to bring the wisdom of the Ediu to my people. What must I do?"

Warren sighed. Ettwanae had played the role flawlessly and unless they made a major mistake, they were about to hear everything the priestess knew of the Dark Ones.

It was some time later they emerged from what they'd learned was the village community room, which also served as a place of worship. Warren looked around at the dozens of people who had apparently gathered to wait for their matriarch to reemerge and explain the winged visitation.

Ettwanae turned to the woman who had trusted in her gods' messengers and provided them with much information, none of which would be used to help their gods. Some of what they learned was very disturbing. These people benefited little from their mountainside guardians, and may be giving far more than they actually understood. Slaves being one such unwitting gift.

Warren was anxious to leave the village and make their next stop – to see a woman who Aunu said she cast out as a heretic. They'd learned where the exiled villager lived by convincing Aunu that as emissaries of the Ediu, they were obligated to attempt to bring her back into the fold. Aunu said a woman named Taala claimed to have lived for a time in the citadel. She was someone they must to talk to.

###

A/N: We're building toward climax of the first major story arc – the citadel mission. Next chapter, Warren and Ettwanae seek the outcast Taala, Elder Phai is not happy, and more on the mess Warren left behind on Tchutchka Centrus. Stay tuned!