Well here is an update for you, I would like to dedicate this chapter to: sophia0401
Cena's baby doll
Vixxy vampire
xxFuturewwedivaxx
for their continued support for this strange but oh so compelling story I hope this chapter is worth it.
The enemy within
Mickie lent on Randy chest willing the cold to leave her body, but she just couldn't stop shaking, her wet clothes clung to her body seeping the heat from her skin and making her teeth clash together uncontrollably.
"Are you ok?" Randy whispered in her ear and Mickie just nodded her head, there was nothing to be gained from complaining and she didn't want Randy worrying about her more than he already did.
"Just a bit cold I'm sure it will pass." Mickie said tuning her head so she could look him in the eyes and let him know that she meant it.
"I know, at least that damm hissing has gone, we can be grateful for small mercy's I guess." Randy replied as he rubbed her arms in a effort to install some heat into her much smaller body as he felt her shake next to him.
"I wouldn't bank on it staying that way." Beth said from her perch with Cody as they huddled together under the glow of this strange tree and Randy could see them easily. Beth was sitting in Cody's lap and Randy thought that it was a much better idea than Mickie just lent against him.
Reaching forward and not giving his stoic Captain a chance to protest Randy pulled Mickie into his lap and wrapped his arms completely around her. To his surprise she said nothing but breath out a long slow breath.
"You think they will come for us even here?" Mickie asked Beth as the blonde opened her eyes once more and turned to look at Mickie.
"I would say so, they may not get to close to the tree, but it wont stop them from trying to wait us out." Beth replied as randy was once again a wear of that low hissing noise, it was faint so fait he was not sure if he had imagined it until he felt Mickie stiffen in his arms.
"You here it too a." He asked her and he felt her nod against his neck as she placed her head on his shoulder.
Beth allowed Cody to hold her tightly, she was too cold to care about the fact she had only know him a short while effect the fact that she wanted to survive the night.
Mickie and Randy seemed pretty at ease with each other now and that made Beth smile, they both needed each other more than ever now and without Legacy Mickie would be like a little girl lost if the rest of them didn't pull together just like a crew, but this time without the ship.
Closing her eyes again as exhaustion overtook her once more Beth was very much aware of the growing hiss coming from the depths of the trees. Allowing her fingers to caress the arm that was holding her she felt Cody's lips smile against her hair, but the smile faltered as he to heard the hissing.
"They can't get us up here, that's why the animals are here, all we have to do is wait until morning." Cody whispered in to Beth's ear as he rubbed her freezing arms, the girls had been in the water twice now and Beth was soaked to the skin, not to mention she had recently had major surgery and he could tell she was very tired. Almost to the point of passing out, when her fingers began to trace a path across his arm at first he was happy that she was touching him in such an intimate way, that was until he realised it was because she was anxious because the hissing sound had returned. After he spoke no one else made a noise as they all listened intently towards the trees and preying for the sun to return.
Ted was cold tired and in a lot of pain, not only had he been beaten but he had been left to hang by his wrists in his cell. His left eye was almost swollen shut and his knees felt like they were on fire, not to mention the probable broken rib he had got when Masamba first arrived on board Legacy.
He squinted even more when the door to his cell was opened and a shaft of light momentarily fell across his face, as soon as it was there however it was gone again.
"Commander, commander?" Ted heard his rank being whispered and he had to smile even though it hurt.
"Kofi is that you?" Ted asked into the darkness as a hand came down on his shoulder which made him jump.
"Yeah Commander it me, look I can get you out of these chains and leave the door unlocked, I have already done the same for Lt Perez and some of the other crewman." Kofi said as Ted felt the chains loosen then fall off. Ted almost collapsed to the floor but Kofi caught him.
"Thanks." Ted said finding his own feet with a bit of a effort and he looked at Kofi in the dim light and found his eyes.
"I need you to wait here though, I am fixing up Legacy and we can't go until she is sailable again, that and I need to blow up this ship and I'm not ready yet." Kofi said with a small smile as Ted allowed himself to lean against the wall and take a deep shaky breath.
"Yep defiantly broken." Ted said hissing as his ribs protested under the expansion of his lungs and Kofi placed his hand back on Ted's shoulder.
"As soon as we are out of here sir I'm sure Evan will be more than happy to have you on bed rest in the medical bay." Kofi said and smiled at the grimace on his commanding officers face.
"This is not looking so bad now." Ted said with a small wave of his arm as Kofi went back towards the door.
"I will let you know when I am ready, there will be a pretty big bag, that's when you should run." He said as he crept back out of the door and Ted shook his head and slipped down the wall until he was sat down and stretched his legs out in front of himself.
"Run I think that is being a bit optimistic." He said into the silence of his cell.
Kofi set the final charge inside the Obelisk, closing the hatch he stood up and walked out of the corridor, checking around he saw no one, he had managed to unlock almost everyone of the Legacy crew, that included all those that were on Dauntless, they all seemed pretty beet up but none of them were unable to run if they had to.
Ted had been the worst by far and Kofi had found it hard to leave his commanding officer but he knew he had to retuned before the night staff passed by again.
Walking the full length of the ship Kofi then walked on to the gangway that connected Legacy to the Obelisk and he ducked under a low hanging cable as he went onto his old ship.
He was having a problem setting the charges to blow the connecting bridge that was attaching Legacy and the Obelisk together, ever time he tried to set the charge someone would come up and walk across. There was only so many times he could do this without people getting suspicious. Walking straight across this time Kofi went down to the engine room, it was deserted and he placed his tools on one of the stairways and opened up the turbo drive window. Only he and Melina had any idea how this worked let alone being able to fix it and it was something Masamba was very interested in acquiring. Kofi just wanted to fix it so that when he blew Masamba's ship they could get the hell out of there.
Pulling at the wires and checking the power output Kofi finally found the defective cable and started the task of replacing it.
Mickie awoke to the sound of Beth screaming and Cody stomping about on their branch shaking the tree to the point where Mickie had to hold on to the trunk in fear of getting shaken off.
"Damm it Cody just kill it already." Beth said as her own foot came down and squashed the beetle on the branch as it made a ugly mess on the place Beth had recently occupied.
Beth had been awoken by a tickling sensation on her leg, thinking Cody was trying to get fresh she hit out at him but found her hand colliding with something hard and hissing in protest.
That's when she had awoken the entire Island with her scream and Cody had been jumping around like a baboon trying to kill the lethal creature.
"My hero." Beth said with a twitch of her mouth as she tried not to smile at Cody's forlorn face.
"My god that could have killed you." Randy said looking at the mess the creature had left as he did though he spotted another one. It was making it's way up the trunk of the tree. It was moving very slowly though and a couple of times it almost fell off.
"It's the light it's making them sick, but we must be a big enough prize they are willing to risk it." Beth said as she stepped back as Cody smushed this one with ease as it staggered on to their branch.
"God I hope the sun comes up soon, I do not want to spend all night stamping on these things." Randy said as he looked down at the almost black carpet below them.
Most of the beetles were keeping out of the reach of the trees glow but a few were venturing under. Even less were trying to climb the tree, but they all knew that one would be enough, get bitten and you would fall out of the tree and to certain death.
"Look right now I don't see us having a choice, but I suggest in the morning we find something that is going to prevent them climbing the tree." Mickie said sitting back on the branch. She had very little sleep and her legs were finally starting to protest on being used so much. She looked over at Randy as he placed his arm around her shoulders and sat down beside her.
Mickie had to admit she was much warmer than she had been as her clothes had finally dried out and her teeth had stopped chattering. She looked over at the sky which was turning from a dark black to a inky blue as the first signs of dawn approached them.
Her eyes were on the verge of closing and her body was slumping towards the branch when Randy got up suddenly and wacked away a bug that had landed right on Mickie shoulder.
"For crying out loud! Where the hell is the bug spray when you need it." Mickie shouted as she was now fully awake once more and she scowled down at the next bug trying to get the meal of a lifetime and she raised her boot.
"Oh no this one is mine." Mickie said as Randy tried to back her away from the bug but was pushed away by Mickie who was looking like if he got in the way she would take him out to.
Raising his palms Randy backed away and watched as Mickie stomped on the beetle with a satisfying crunch and she flicked away the remains with her shoe.
"I don't know about you but I'm not so sleepy any more." Randy said turning and grinning at Cody and Beth who both nodded in agreement as Mickie squatted down beside him looking at their tree companions.
"Looks like its going to be dawn soon anyway, for mow I guess we just keep killing these things until they go away." Mickie said wiping the guts off of her shoes that had stuck there and Beth pulled a face as Mickie flicked them towards her.
"We leave at first light, I suggest you rest as much as possible." Mickie said leaning back against the tree but not closing her eyes, she had had enough of this Island, the UAN hell the whole damm world and she had chosen to come back here this time, 'What in the hell was I thinking?' she thought to herself as she felt Randy settle back in next to her and pull her closer to him and she realised exactly what she was thinking as she relaxed in to his welcome arms.
The next time Mickie opened her eyes she could see everything around her, dawn had broken and their would be dinner guest had left them alone.
"Wake up Randy it's time to go." Mickie said placing a kiss on his forehead and he woke placing his arms around her and landing his lips on hers for a soft kiss.
"Later." She whispered as Cody and Beth began to stir having also fallen back asleep despite the dangers, the exhaustion had gotten them all in the end.
"Come on sleepy heads it's time to go." Mickie said and Cody was on his feet in an instant ever the good officer willing to do whatever the Captain asked. Beth was slower to react, stretching and yawning before climbing shakily to her feet.
"That was not the most comfortable night I have spent, but it was the least either." Beth said a small smile on her face but Cody knew she probably wasn't really joking.
They all climbed out of the tree and the area was clear of bugs, well alive ones anyway. Several bodies lay strewn about but only the exoskeletons. All the flesh and insides were missing.
"They ate each other?" Mickie said when she took a real look around and her face scrunched up at the thought but no one bothered answering her, it was to freaky especially if they had to go through another night on this Island.
"Ok food, water and something to use as a barrier, we can't go through another night like the last one." Mickie said looking for objections and getting none.
"Water first if we can I am so thirsty." Beth said as the blonde headed down hill towards where the most likely water source would be.
"Agreed, oh and keep your eyes peeled for any more trees like the one from last night you never know when we might need one." Mickie said as she followed Beth in to the undergrowth. Randy behind her and Cody bringing up the rear. Ploughing through the surprisingly think forest the distinct sound of rushing water could be heard until all four emerged in to a clearing where a lake had formed at the base of a small yet impressive waterfall.
"Oh god that's beautiful." Beth said as she walked along the soft grassy shore line and dipped her hand in the water. Cupping it to her mouth she drank thirstly. The others did not take long to join her as she looked across at Mickie who gave her a small smile as the brunette stood up and looked around.
This place was beautiful, the trees and the spray from the waterfall made the area cooler than the hot and sticky forest, the grass was soft from the moisture and lack of trees causing it to die from lack of sunlight. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew lurking in the dark somewhere was a creature that was just waiting for the sun to go down so they could have her for their entrée.
"Ok that's water lets think about some food a guys." Mickie said turning back towards the forest and taking note of it's location not that you couldn't here the impressive water fall from half a mile away.
Randy brought up the rear this time, he pushed the leaves away from his now sweaty face, the sun was well and truly out now and the island was heating up fairly considerably and it was obvious that it was only going to get hotter.
Keeping his eyes out for anything that they were going to be able to eat randy finally spotted a bush which contained something that looked like black berries.
Calling the rest of their group over he cautiously put one in his mouth and started slowly chewing.
"Umm not bad." He said as he picked up a few more and shovelled them into his mouth.
"Ok save some for the rest of us." Mickie said taking Randy's hint and picking some berries for herself as Beth and Cody did the same.
Looking around Randy saw that all three of his companions had berry juice around their mouths and he smiled, he knew he probably looked the same but at this point he didn't care.
The fruit had been good but there was no way enough for them all to have a good meal on and soon they had to move on hoping to find something more substantial.
Beth looked out towards the ocean, she was looking west, she knew this because of the path the sun had been travelling in is ever approaching descent and Beth had been keeping a pretty close eye on that. It was also the direction they had last seen Legacy heading in but now the water shone bright and clear, and most importantly empty.
Following Cody down a narrow path of rocks Beth noticed that randy had fallen somewhat behind them all and she called up to him.
"Come on Randy you don't want to get left all by yourself do you?" She called and she saw him turn around and realised that they had left without him.
Randy had been distracted by a plant that looked edible but was pretty rotten when he had got a closer look. Beth's shout alerted him to the fact he was loosing them and he skipped down the narrow crag and landed next to Mickie in the middle of what looked like a old dried up creak.
"Follow it?" She suggested and as no one had any other better suggestions they all headed down the creak and further into the forest.
Kofi was just finishing the wiring when a hand was placed on his shoulder, he turned quickly to see Masamba's grinning face and Kofi forced a smile as the high commander removed his hand from Kofi's shoulder and tucked it back under his robe.
"I here you are finished Kofi, will I be able to sail this ship now and destroy all my enemies?"
"Yes high commander she is all yours." Kofi said with a bow of his head as he looked in to Masamba's eyes he saw a flicker of anger there and Kofi frowned.
"What is wrong sir I thought you would be pleased at the completion of this ship." Kofi refrained from saying his ship, Legacy would never be Masamba's ship, she only belonged to Captain James.
"I would be Kofi, maybe I will have to change her name, that is once I am rid of you."
Kofi took a step back as Masamba's eyes flashed at him.
"Me sir I have done nothing but fix the ship like you asked." Kofi said but he knew the game was up, the only chance for him now was escape but he could see no way out of this one.
"What do you think of the name Victory? I kind of like it, makes me think of a winner." Masamba said as he pulled aside his robe and pulled out the long dagger concealed within.
Kofi did not get a chance to answer the high commanders question as the blade came towards him until he knew no more.
Masamba stood over Kofi's body and looked down at the man with distaste.
"I have always hated traitors." He said as he left Legacy's engine room and climbed the stairs. Before he could reach the adjoin gangway however there was an explosion from his own ship and Masamba had to hold on to the hand railings to steady himself.
"Lying bastard." Masamba screamed as Ted Debasie emerged from below decks along with half the Legacy crew.
"What shall we do with him sir." John Morrison asked as they found Masamba clinging to the gang rails trying to keep himself upright.
"Take him with us we don't have any more time." Ted shouted as John and Mike forced Masamba to his feet and back on to Legacy.
"Where id Kofi?" Ted shouted as Melina shut the hatch and blew the gang way behind her so Legacy was cut free.
"He is in the engine room, I am afraid I had to kill him." Masamba said as John clicked on the handcuffs and pulled him down towards the brig.
Ted and Melina went to the engine room and found Kofi's lifeless body, Melina allowed the tears to come and Ted placed his arm around her shoulders squeezing her close.
"Come on we have to go and find the Captain, let's not let his efforts go to waist." Ted said as they left the room after Ted covered Kofi with his jacket and made their way towards the bridge.
"Ok Mr Jericho come about take us back to that Island full turbo drive, lets get our Captain back then kick the UAN's unwelcome arse once and for all.
"Aye sir!"
Ok hope you liked I am sorry I had to do it 33 chapters and no one had died, I think Kofi would have liked that death though, he died a proper hero.
Will they be able to save the other from the dreaded island before night fall, if you want to know just hit review and I will update faster. Thanks for reading.