A/N: Sorry this took so long, I was on a mad hunt for #54 and…a few other books to complete the crossover…you'll see which ones and if you really want to know now, email me. Suffice it to say that the only characters belonging to me are Gabi and Daryl…but their universe belongs to someone else.
Chapter 3:
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
-The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Marco
We are all on the bridge by this point, limping our way to a planet that we are just now close enough to see. We don't say a whole lot when it finally comes into view. It's enormous with three brightly colored rings, two wide green ones with a narrow orange ring in between. There are at least 20-30 tiny planets that I soon realize are moons surrounding it. With the months of space travel, we'd become accustomed to breathtaking sights, but this… this is amazing. It just seems to emanate beauty.
Menderash broke us out of our interstellar tourist gawking. "Captain, there is another ship being picked up by the remaining sensors. I assume it is some sort of border patrol."
Jake kind of nods, and asks thoughtfully, "Any attempts at communication?"
Menderash hesitates. "I'm not sure. The communication systems were damaged in the assault on the Blade ship."
"So what you're saying is that we're flying blind into a confrontation with a ship that will probably vaporize us if we make one wrong move?" I interject.
Tobias looks at me Just like old times sake, right, Marco?
"What is so wrong about leaving the life threatening missions aside?" I glare back half heartedly.
"What if we stop the ship?" Santorelli interjects.
We all turn to look at him. "Well, it seems to me, if we are no longer approaching the planet, we're no longer an imminent threat to them. They'll check us out, most likely, but they probably won't kill us."
"Probably" I mutter to myself. "And if they do?"
"Then we kick their ass." Jeanne replies.
I look at her a bit startled, a Xena response on the tip of my tongue out of habit. But I say nothing.
Jake looks around at us all, "Well, then is it decided?"
No one responds for a moment. Then finally I but in, "You know, we just have to go with the suicide missions when we get together. Why can't we ever just play some basketball?"
Jake smiles, a real smile. "Maybe when we get back home I'll take it upon myself to personally beat your ass at Basketball."
"Oh, bring it on."
And so we sit in space just waiting to get blown out of it.
* * *
To be continued…