Summary: Michael returns to the Anten Seven, but will he really hand Melfina over to Hazanko, and what is his mysterious plan? Gene & Co. finally catch up to Michael, but so does a certain ex-Anten assassin. And when all is said and done, which side will Melfina choose?

"You should be back in prison," said Mr. Town. "You should be on f**king death row."

"I didn't kill your associates," said Shadow. "But I'll tell you something I've never forgotten."

"And that is?"

"There was only one guy in the whole Bible Jesus ever personally promised a place with him in Paradise. Not Peter, not Paul, not any of those guys. He was a convicted thief, being executed. So don't knock the guys on death row. Maybe they know something you don't."

-- from American Gods, by Neil Gaiman, creator of Sandman, and my current idol.



Dark Prophet

Chapter 4: Revenge



"So it was a trick. A stupid trick, and we fell for it."

Jim shrugged. "Well, it was pretty smart of him to tag a comet and—"

"Shut UP, Jim," Gene growled. "We still have no clue where Melfina is."

Annie started to open her mouth.

"Hold it! Just because YOU fell for the trick doesn't mean you can take it out on Jim!" Aisha shouted.

"When I want your opinion, I'll throw a rock at you!" Gene yelled.

"Hey, leave Aisha alone!" Jim cried. "She was only trying to help!"

Annie watched the three argue for a few more minutes before she finally realized they weren't going to stop. She carefully picked up Aisha's tail, took a deep breath, and bit down on it.

"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!" Aisha screamed, drowning out everyone else.

Jim and Gene both traded "that-kid's-soooo-dead" looks and backed up quickly.

Aisha grabbed her tail and stroked it gently, whimpering as she looked down at the little girl. "Annie…WHY?!"

"I'm really, really sorry, Aisha, but no one was listening to me." She hugged Aisha's leg. "I promise I won't ever do it again."

Aisha sighed and patted the girl's head. "Yeah, well…this better be REAL important, kiddo."

"It is." Annie walked over to the main console and started pressing buttons.

"Hey, stop that!" Gene cried, slapping her hand away.

"But Mr. Gene, the sad man is on there!"

Gene stared at her. "Uh…that's nice and everything, but I don't—"

"You don't understand! The sad man sent you something!"

Jim blinked and peered over Annie's shoulder. "Oh. She means we've got a message, Gene. It doesn't say who it's from, though. It's been there since last night."

"Doesn't ANYBODY check that thing?" Gene asked.

"Guess not." Jim reached past Annie and hit a button.

Instantly, the screen flickered, and a familiar face appeared.

Aisha growled and bared her fangs.

Gene and Jim both glared.

Annie, however, had a much different reaction. She beamed and pointed. "It's sad man!"

Everyone blinked and looked at her. "WHAT?!"

"Annie, that's the guy that stole Melfina," Aisha explained.

"What? But sad man wouldn't DO that. He saved me!"

"Shut up, guys! He's talking!" Jim said, turning up the volume.

"This message is for Gene Starwind and the rest of the Outlaw Star's crew. As you have no doubt guessed, I have Melfina. If you want her back, I suggest you meet me at the following coordinates."

The screen changed to show a map with a red X on the location.

"Oh, and you might want to hurry. I'm not waiting forever."

Gene slammed his fists down on the console. "Gilliam, you know what to do."

"Charting a flight plan right now, Gene."

"See?" Annie asked. "He told us where the lady was! He's helping!"

Gene started to say something, but Jim shot him a "just-let-it-go" look.

"Okay, so that WAS pretty important." Aisha picked up Annie and held her at eye-level. "But if you EVER bite me again, I'm biting you back. We clear?"

Annie nodded fearfully.

Aisha smiled and swung the little girl onto her back. "Well, since you did help us find Mel, I'm stuffing your cute little tummy with ice cream. C'mon, kiddo."

* * * * *

"We'll be docking in five minutes, sir," Nova reported.

"Excellent, Nova." Michael stood up and walked to the rear of the bridge, where he'd placed Melfina on a long table. "Nova? Activate code 47483829309, please."

There was a brief pause, and then Melfina slowly opened her eyes. "M- Michael?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Don't be afraid, Melfina. You're safe here."

"Why? Why did you take me?"

"I had to," Michael said with a sigh. "I know you don't understand that right now, but you will soon enough. For now, I just need you to trust me, Melfina." He reached down and brushed his fingertips against her cheek. "I am sorry for all this, but there is no other way. I can't just…leave them there, in service to Hazanko."

Melfina blinked and tried to reach for his hand, only to find that she couldn't move her own. "What…I can't…move!"

"I'm sorry," Michael repeated. "It has to be this way. You're supposed to be my prisoner, and it has to look convincing. I've asked Nova to limit your movement."

"I don't understand. You're…not going to hand me over to Hazanko?"

"Yes and no. I will have to give you up, but only for a while. Once it's safe, I'll rescue you myself."

"But, Michael, you can't defeat the Anten Seven alone! They'll destroy you!"

Michael smiled. "I won't have to defeat them. They're the ones I'm trying to save."

* * * * *

"A ship approaching, Lord Hazanko," Hanmushi announced.

Hazanko raised his head. "Identify it at once."

"It's the Black Nova, Lord. Requesting permission to dock now."

Hazanko was silent for a moment. "Do you see the XGP?"

Hanmushi almost seemed to pale beneath her mask. "No, Lord. He has Melfina."

Hazanko frowned, then nodded. "Permission granted. Have the others meet here at once. It's time we discussed our plans for the Galactic Leyline…and if our friend here has jeopardized them, he will pay dearly…"

* * * * *

Hitorega remained silent when the doors slid open. However, his hand tightened on his sword.

Michael came into view seconds later, carrying Melfina in his arms. "Sorry for the wait."

"Tell that to Lord Hazanko. He wants to see you right away."

"Then let's not keep him waiting." He glanced at the bird on his shoulder. "Nova, keep the ship prepped. We'll be leaving soon."

"Yes, sir."

"Leaving?" Hitorega asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "For where?"

"The Galactic Leyline, of course," Michael replied. "Where else would we be going?"

* * * * *

"Gene…what IS that thing?"

"No idea, Jim. But if that's where Melfina is, that's where we're going."

"We are just outside of the Leyline," Gilliam reported. "However, my sensors indicate that it would be extremely dangerous to enter at this time. Chances of our collective survival are 5.09 %, and individual survival rates are even less."

"So you're saying we shouldn't go in," Gene said after a moment. "And what do you suggest we do while Melfina is in the hands of that madman?!"

"Gene, we can't enter the Galactic Leyline safely without Melfina. Navigation is key at this point, and I refuse to let you try something so senseless and risk all our lives in the process."

The ship suddenly grew dim, and the engines could be heard shutting down.

"I have placed the ship in sleep mode. I suggest you all get some rest. It would appear that our 'madman' has yet to arrive, and there is no sign of any other ship for miles around. Good night."

"Maybe Gilliam's right," Jim added. "This doesn't seem too smart without Mel here to guide us."

"Tell that to her," Gene snapped. "Oh, wait, you can't. She's been kidnapped by pirates that just want to use her as a key. With any luck, they'll just kill her when they're done, instead of torturing her to death. Thanks for reminding me, Jim."

Aisha growled and slapped Gene across the cheek. "Listen up, Starwind! None of us had a chance of stopping that guy! Even if we had been able to hold him off, he knew the ship's codes and would've just turned Gilliam against us! So stop whining about your girlfriend and be a man! A true Ctarl-Ctarl would never give up hope, even when the deck's stacked against him!"

Gene stared at her for a long moment, then smirked. "Yeah, but I'm not a Ctarl-Ctarl."

Aisha shrugged. "Well, nobody's perfect. 'Cept me, of course."

Gene "accidentally" stepped on Aisha's tail. "That's for the slap."

"YAAAAAAAAIIIIII!!!" Aisha screamed. "GENE STARWIND, GET BACK HERE!" she yelled, chasing him through the ship.

"What's gonna happen when she catches him?" Annie asked.

Jim chuckled. "I'll tell you when you're older."

* * * * *

"So, my dear. We meet at last." Hazanko ran his index finger along Melfina's chin. "She seems a bit stiff."

"I've shut down all her functions, Lord," Michael replied. "I didn't think you'd want to hear what she had to say."

"Very perceptive of you." Hazanko's face seemed to darken. "Although it would've been much more perceptive of you to bring me the XGP, as well…"

"My most humble apologies, Lord. There were some…unforeseen difficulties."

"Such as?" Hazanko pressed.

"A small girl."

"You mean to tell me that all that stands between me and the Galactic Leyline is a small girl?!" Hazanko roared.

"I had no way of knowing who she was, Lord. If she was a relative of someone important, it would've endangered the mission."

Hazanko grabbed Michael by the throat. "NO ONE…is more important than the Leyline, boy. Not even you." He squeezed tighter. "Besides, the power of the Leyline is infinite. Anyone killed by mistake could be revived." Hazanko's eyes narrowed. "Now, since you have brought me Melfina, I assume you have a plan to get the XGP as well. But there will be no more…difficulties. Do you understand?"

Although it was extremely difficult to do so, Michael managed to nod.

Hazanko tossed him to the floor. "Good. Then go back to your ship and bring me the XGP. Hamniyo and Hitorega will accompany you, so don't even think of failing a second time."

* * * * *

"Wake up, Annie. I need to speak with you."

Annie slowly opened her eyes. "Oh, why'd you wake me, Aisha? I was having the greatest dream…"

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not Aisha."

Annie blinked and sat up, only to find a familiar face floating over her bed. "Sad man!" she cried. "It's you!"

Aisha grunted in her sleep and rolled over.

"It's good to see you again, little one," the hologram said. "Listen carefully. I'll be there shortly, but you must promise me something. Whatever it takes, you must keep Gene and the others from attacking my ship. Make sure he knows that Melfina is safe with me."

"Okay. How do I do that?"

"Just tell Jim. He'll know what to do."

* * * * *

"So what happens when we get to the Leyline, Michael?" Hamniyo asked.

"Nova will guide us in. The rest should be fairly simple."

"But…I thought we needed Melfina to do that?"

"You were wrong, then," Hitorega replied. "This ship can easily penetrate the Leyline."

Hamniyo looked confused. "But…if this ship could do that, then why do we need the XGP?"

"We don't," Hitorega answered. "But Lord Hazanko doesn't seem to know that."

"Then…we don't need Melfina, either?"

"Certainly," Michael said. "She's the only one that can keep the XGP's crew from firing on us at this point. Nova can only control the Outlaw Star, not the people inside it."

"Wait, I don't understand. If Nova can do all that, then why does Lord Hazanko think the XGP is the best ship in the universe?"

"Because it is. But this ship just happens to be the blueprint for it. Every inch of the XGP was based on this very ship."

Hamniyo stared at him in disbelief. "But that's crazy! How could Lord Hazanko not know that?"

"Hazanko isn't the only one who can keep secrets and files hidden, Hamniyo. Nova, let me know as soon as we're in range of the XGP."

"Yes, sir."

* * * * *

"There it is." Jim bit his lip as the Black Nova appeared on the main screen.

"Are you sure we shouldn't fire?" Aisha asked again.

"We might hurt Melfina," Gene replied.

"But said man said she was safe with him," Annie said. "He told me so!"

Without warning, Michael's face appeared on the screen. Strangely enough, so did Melfina's.

"I take it you got Annie's message, then?" he asked.

Gene nodded.

Michael nodded at the child. "Good girl."

Annie beamed.

"As you can see, Melfina is fine."

"I'd rather hear that from her, pal," Gene snapped.

"I'm okay, Gene," Melfina reassured him. "He won't hurt me."

"Then why'd he take you in the first place?"

"We don't have time for this," Michael interrupted, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Hazanko is trailing us, no doubt, and he'll be here soon."

"Hazanko?" Jim whispered.

"Yes. Only a fool would trust his servants to deliver the Leyline to him. He'll expect to find you imprisoned, and if we work together, we can convince him of that."

Gene frowned. "I don't like your plan. What sort of game are you playing at?"

"No game, Gene. Only a ruse. Frankly, it's the only way all of us will get out of here safely, so I don't see how you have much of a choice."

"You have to trust him, Gene," Melfina said, her eyes pleading with him. "Please?"

Gene sighed and shook his head. "So what's this ruse of yours?"

* * * * *

Hazanko sneered at Gene's bloody face. "I should kill you now, for all the trouble you've caused me, Starwind."

"Yeah, maybe you should," Gene grunted. "Your breath isn't exactly minty fresh."

Hitoerga's boot crashed into Gene's face. "Infidel! How dare you insult Lord Hazanko?!"

"Gene!" Melfina cried, trying to shield him with her body. Jim, Aisha, and Annie gathered around Gene protectively.

"Enough." Hazanko waved his hand, and an unseen force pulled Melfina away from Gene and shoved her forward. "Take your place, Melfina. Do it and open the gate. Now!"

Fearfully, Melfina walked over to the gate. It was a massive stone structure, with a kind of sunken pedestal blocking the entrance. Melfina slowly stepped onto the pedestal. Instantly, stone pillars rose on either side of her.

"The Maiden has returned," a voice announced. "Secure the Maiden."

Melfina shrieked as the pillars changed shape, trapping her wrists within them. The pedestal sank down into the floor, encasing her in stone from the waist down.

"Leyline Project Command: It was you who broke my Mason plate," Hazanko said.

Melfina's brown eyes seemed to lose their color.

"Password accepted. You may enter the gate."

Melfina's platform receded into the darkness of the gate, exposing a pathway.

"There, you see, Starwind?" Hazanko asked. "Melfina is nothing but a puppet, just as I told you. But don't feel bad. She is a star in the greatest play of all." With that, he turned and entered the gate. "Bring them!" he called. "I want them all to see this."

Michael frowned, then prodded Gene with his sword. "Go."

They came upon a brown, sprawling, spiral like structure that seemed to be very ancient. At the very top was an empty black pool, just large enough for a face.

Melfina's platform sank into the midst of the structure, and the brown vines coiled around her.

A face exactly like Melfina's emerged in the black pool. "You who have returned the Maiden," she said, looking at Hazanko. "What is thy desire?"

"Power," Hazanko whispered, his eyes shining. "So much power that even the Emperor would have to bow before me!"

"That is thy desire?"

"It is."

There was a long moment of silence.

Finally, the face replied, "Cannot grant request. The Guardian has been altered."

"What?!" Hazanko roared.

"Cannot grant request," she repeated. "The Guardi-"

"What foolishness is this?! Nothing's been done to Melfina! Nothing--!" Hazanko froze and looked at Gene. "You! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?!"

"What are you talking about?" Gene asked. "I didn't-"

"YOU'VE DEFILED THE MAIDEN!" Hazanko screamed.

Gene's eyes narrowed. "Sorry, I think I'd remember if I'd done something like that."

"Does he mean what I think he means?" Jim whispered.

Aisha smirked. "I'll tell you when you're older."

"You can't know what you've done!" Hazanko shouted, his eyes glowing red. "You've tainted her! She's worthless! Melfina can't access the Leyline now!"

Melfina's head suddenly lifted. "No," she whispered in a deep voice. "But I can."

Hazanko whirled around, his eyes widening in confusion, and then recognition. "Boy?"

"My name," said Melfina, glaring at him, "is Michael."

Melfina's body suddenly shimmered and melted away, revealing that it wasn't Melfina at all. Instantly, the person who had been holding a sword against Gene's back changed as well.

"The Master has returned," a voice said. "The Master has returned."

The face in the black fool twisted until it was no longer Melfina's, but Michael's. "The Guardian has been restored."

"Leyline Project Command: Access Gilliam I."

Hazanko turned again, shocked to see that Melfina had said the words.

Michael's body began to glow bright red.

The face slowly began to expand until it was three times larger. It moved forward to loom over them all, frozen in an expression of anger.

"Now, Hazanko," Michael whispered coldly, as did the face, "make your wish again, and see if I grant it."

* * * * *

Concluded in Chapter 5: Family

Michael taps into the Leyline's power, and two old friends return to help in the battle against Hazanko. Betrayals aplenty, and some action, too…