CHAPTER 7: ON THE RUN
Shuddering slightly, I went to close the door, when a laser gun let off a shot and hit me right in my arm. Crying out in alarm, I jumped into the closest crack, or crevice. Kiara jumped out of the ship, hands were claws, wings out, eyes reptilian. She lunged at Commander Carl, who had just got done shooting my arm, then started freaking out because he saw Snake's lifeless body and tried to run. Next thing I knew she took the gun, fired one at point blank, right in Commander Carl's groin. Next one was in his arm because he shot me there, another in his stomach, and the last one right in his face.
As she bolted into the ship, I shut the door and ran to the main control panels. Tsuni and Dies had already started the ship and were firing up its defenses. All the men outside who were trying to get at us were shot, as an instant death. Marina was firing the guns. "I already had my things ready. Tsunaumi and I struck a deal. I hinted Council that you guys were planning escape. Snake and I were assigned to the job. So, I brought him here, and you killed him as I expected. By the way, my name is," she started, but I cut her off before she could finish.
"There's no time for introductions," I said, sitting at main control.
Tsuni looked over at me and saw my half-mutilated arm. "What the hell happened?"
"Commander Carl shot me. Kiara took care of him," I informed him.
"Okay, everyone's on board? The engine's running?" Tsuni asked, getting some last minute info on the ship's status.
"Just shut up and let's drive!" I yelled, firing up the turbo, singing all those behind us and getting connection with Departure. "Open the damn gates!" I screamed at the pleasant looking woman on the screen.
"Nope, sorry, I can't do that," the lady said, looking at one of her perfectly manicured nails, then said, "it's against ship codes."
"Kiara!" I yelled. She took the second gun, and fired a shot into the glass office where the lady was.
"Now, before I blow a hole in that pretty little face of yours, open the damn gates!" I was getting impatient, and my arm was killing me. It was healing, but slowly.
The woman looked startled. "Ready for departure," she said, shakily.
"Straight up," I muttered, when the doors, or the gates opened up, and we were out. Gone. I put the ship into hyper drive and we were off, almost faster than the speed of light.
Loud cheering erupted behind me.
"We're out!! We're free!" Kiara was saying, smiling.
Dies walked in and gave us the thumbs up sign. "Gravity suppressors seem to be working fine. And no one's following us."
"Considering their commanding officers are dead, I wouldn't follow me either," I muttered dryly, cringing from the pain in my arm.
"Are you okay, Ari?" Tsuni asked, walking over and inspecting my wound.
"Just peachy," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Ow!" I screeched, when he touched it. "Don't touch that!"
"Don't be such a baby," he muttered, looking even closer. "Oh! Not only did the shot set a huge wound," he explained, "but it dislocated your shoulder. That's why you're not healing as fast as you should be." He grabbed the bottom of my arm, and did exactly what I didn't want him to do. He jerked the shoulder back into place. I screamed in agony, and dropped out of the chair to my knees.
"Why did you do that?" I asked quietly, trying to find my voice. It barely came out in a whisper.
"I had to do that," he muttered, helping me to my feet. My shoulder was healing abnormally fast now. It was half way closed when I noticed Marina was staring.
"What?" I asked calmly.
"That's just interesting. How you heal so fast," she explained. It was already healed. "I have to wear armor and it takes weeks for something like that to heal on me."
"Well, that's what happens when you're half-Dragon." I smiled.
"Don't move, Ari," Tsuni muttered, grabbing my arm. Once he had a firm hold, he started to rotate my shoulder. It hurt for a couple seconds, but then the rotating made it feel better. "Better?"
"Yes," I nodded, then I yawned. "What time is it?" I asked, yawning loudly.
"It's three in the morning," Dies muttered, when I got to my feet.
"Where's the closest bedroom?" I asked, eyes drooping. I can't believe they had to bust out at three in the morning. I can't believe people were actually awake at three in the morning.
"Down the hall and to the right. Everyone gets a room to themselves. Tsuni and Ari, since you are the ship's main drivers, your rooms are across from each other, the closest ones to the control panel." Dies was holding up this paper that seemed to be the ships map, and the room arrangements. "Marina, your room's next to Ari's, my rooms right next to Tsuni's and Kiara, you're room's next to mine. We have one last room on this floor next to Marina's. All okay? Anyone against it?" No one answered. "Good. If you're tired, you can go to bed."
Everyone got up and walked away. Dies did the same. "G'night all!" I called out sleepily.
There were a couple replies some mumbles and Tsuni said, "Sleep well."
When I walked into the room, I nearly fainted. There was a bed. I mean, an actual bed. Even a pillow. I was impressed. I hopped onto the bed, and lay back. It was soft, and cushy, and deep, like the ocean. I started to drift off when a small intercom came on next to my bed. There was a voice on it. I didn't recognize it. I was too tired to anyway. It said, "I love you, Ari. Sweet dreams."^ Passage of Time^ I awoke that morning, early, for once. And another surprise is that I didn't have that same dream that night. It was different. I was flying over an ocean, and someone was at my side. Right when I looked over to see whom it was, I woke up. It was eleven a.m. Or at least that's what my bedside clock read. I got up and inspected my new room. I looked in my dresser. Everything was in order. Over on my door, there was a map of the ship. The kitchen was on the floor below this one. Then I looked over at my bed. Right by it was a little intercom with a small speaker. How interesting, I thought, looking curiously.
I left out of my room, and walked down the steps to the kitchen. Tsunaumi was already there, a pot of coffee made.
"Good morning," he said, smiling. "Sleep well?"
"Better than I have in fourteen years," I muttered, sitting down.
"Coffee?" he asked, looking over at me.
"Yes, please," I mumbled, sighing.
He was already up and fixing the cup. "Creamer?"
"Milk."
"Sugar?"
"Thirteen, please," I said, smiling at the reaction.
"Three?"
"Thirteen. You know, ten plus three?"
"Man, that's enough to kill you," he said, counting and putting in all the scoops. I grabbed the coffee, and took a long drink. "And that doesn't even give you a headache?"
"Kiara puts twenty-six," I muttered, snickering when he frowned. "Just kidding. She only puts twelve."
"It's still no better," he said, shaking his head sadly.
"Oh, shut up," I sighed, patting his shoulder.
"Good morning you two," came Dies sleepy yawn from the doorway. "Coffee. Tsuni, I didn't know you cared!" Dies faked shock.
"Knock it off," Tsuni muttered, handing him a cup of coffee he had already made.
"Thank you," Dies said, taking a sip. When he put his cup down, the ship gave a huge jerk, and a red light started flashing. Next thing I knew, all three of us were floating in the air, as was my coffee. I grabbed for it quickly and I drank the rest of it before it could fly off.
"Dies!!" Tsuni yelled, a look of pure disgust on his face.
"What? I checked the Gravity Suppressor for anything wrong, you know, rust, and such. Nothing. It was fine. Except for that loose screw I seemed to have looked over," Dies muttered most of the last part, but Tsuni still heard enough.
"If you don't get down there right now, I'll kill you," Tsuni muttered, shaking his head. The next thing he did, shocked me to the max. He started laughing. Hysterically. I ended up joining him. It was five minutes we were laughing, I was holding onto his shoulder then I had to stop to breathe.
"Why are we laughing?" I asked, out of breath.
"Because Dies is such an idiot. I can't believe he can make me so mad at his stupidity," Tsuni was shaking his head. He gave a last chuckle, then, the gravity turned back on, and we both went tumbling to the floor. I hit my head on the counter. Then I landed on top of Tsuni in a most 'interesting' position.
"Ari? Are you okay?"
"Mmft err fut," I said. It's not what I wanted to say, though. I wanted to say 'Ow, my head' but that's not what came out.
"Do you think you can stand up?" he asked, blushing furiously.
"Dunt tink fat vay!" I said. I wanted to say 'Don't think that way!' There was one problem. My head hurt like heck. I tried to get to my knees, but I only fell back down.
"Tsuni, I fixed it, you don't have to kill me," Dies said when he walked in but trailed off. Then he started laughing.
"Dies! Help her up! She cracked her head on the counter! Now she can't talk straight," Tsuni muttered, glaring.
"Just shove her off," Dies said, pulling out a thing I dreaded most. A camera. FLASH. Of course he has to be the one to take the picture.
"Nu suv or e nitch!" I spat, but I can't tell you what I wanted to say. Dies walked over and gently rolled me onto my back, off of Tsuni. "Fanks."
"Ari, are you okay?" Tsuni asked, unable to hide his concern.
"Peachy," I muttered, regaining my ability to talk normally again. "Why is it that every time we meet, I end up on the ground?" I asked, rolling my eyes.
"I have no idea." Tsuni smiled and stood up, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. When I tried to walk away, I lost my balance and nearly face-planted myself in the ground had Tsuni not threw his arms out and grabbed my around my waist, helping me regain my balance.
"You've really got to stop doing that," I muttered, turning to face him.
"Stop what?" he asked. I was lost in his eyes. They were so handsome and green.
"Holding me," I whispered. I could feel myself blushing. FLASH. It was Dies.
"If I let go of you now, you'd fall," Tsuni's replied calmly. He sidestepped in some weird way that made him look like a penguin and sat me on a stool. "You okay?"
"A little water and some ice would be great," I mumbled, smiling.
"That's it?" he asked, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. "Sure you don't want a Tylenol?"
"What?" I asked, raising one eyebrow.
"Tylenol. It's a medicine in a little capsule that helps headaches," Tsuni informed me, handing me the water.
"Interesting," I said, looking at him.
"You've never heard of them?" he asked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
"No," I said flatly.
"You are so Medieval," Tsuni said, smiling.
"Shut up," I was quick to shoot back.
"You know, for a Medieval Women you're very familiar with the common phrases on Earth."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You use 'shut up' very frequently. Normally, Medieval Women say 'silence' and whatnot." He smiled and handed ma a little plastic thing in the shape of an oval. It was half red and half yellow.
"Well, silence! What is this?" It was so small. My pinky nail was bigger than it, though it was almost as long.
"It's the Tylenol," Tsuni smiled. I popped the pill in my mouth only to spit it out into my hand.
"That's disgusting!" I spat, sticking my tongue out. "If you wanted to poison me, you could've just told me that!"
"It's not poison," Tsuni explained calmly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's not supposed to taste good, either."
"Great. So, you're telling me you want me to eat some disgusting plastic thing to help my head get better?" He nodded. "All right." I muttered some colorful words and placed it in my mouth, and drank some water to help it get down. "How long will it take?"
"About twenty minutes." Tsuni then got up and said, "In the mean time, you'll have to sit there. Hungry?"
"Yeah. Wait…you can cook too?!"
"Yes."
"Is there anything you can't do?"
Shuddering slightly, I went to close the door, when a laser gun let off a shot and hit me right in my arm. Crying out in alarm, I jumped into the closest crack, or crevice. Kiara jumped out of the ship, hands were claws, wings out, eyes reptilian. She lunged at Commander Carl, who had just got done shooting my arm, then started freaking out because he saw Snake's lifeless body and tried to run. Next thing I knew she took the gun, fired one at point blank, right in Commander Carl's groin. Next one was in his arm because he shot me there, another in his stomach, and the last one right in his face.
As she bolted into the ship, I shut the door and ran to the main control panels. Tsuni and Dies had already started the ship and were firing up its defenses. All the men outside who were trying to get at us were shot, as an instant death. Marina was firing the guns. "I already had my things ready. Tsunaumi and I struck a deal. I hinted Council that you guys were planning escape. Snake and I were assigned to the job. So, I brought him here, and you killed him as I expected. By the way, my name is," she started, but I cut her off before she could finish.
"There's no time for introductions," I said, sitting at main control.
Tsuni looked over at me and saw my half-mutilated arm. "What the hell happened?"
"Commander Carl shot me. Kiara took care of him," I informed him.
"Okay, everyone's on board? The engine's running?" Tsuni asked, getting some last minute info on the ship's status.
"Just shut up and let's drive!" I yelled, firing up the turbo, singing all those behind us and getting connection with Departure. "Open the damn gates!" I screamed at the pleasant looking woman on the screen.
"Nope, sorry, I can't do that," the lady said, looking at one of her perfectly manicured nails, then said, "it's against ship codes."
"Kiara!" I yelled. She took the second gun, and fired a shot into the glass office where the lady was.
"Now, before I blow a hole in that pretty little face of yours, open the damn gates!" I was getting impatient, and my arm was killing me. It was healing, but slowly.
The woman looked startled. "Ready for departure," she said, shakily.
"Straight up," I muttered, when the doors, or the gates opened up, and we were out. Gone. I put the ship into hyper drive and we were off, almost faster than the speed of light.
Loud cheering erupted behind me.
"We're out!! We're free!" Kiara was saying, smiling.
Dies walked in and gave us the thumbs up sign. "Gravity suppressors seem to be working fine. And no one's following us."
"Considering their commanding officers are dead, I wouldn't follow me either," I muttered dryly, cringing from the pain in my arm.
"Are you okay, Ari?" Tsuni asked, walking over and inspecting my wound.
"Just peachy," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Ow!" I screeched, when he touched it. "Don't touch that!"
"Don't be such a baby," he muttered, looking even closer. "Oh! Not only did the shot set a huge wound," he explained, "but it dislocated your shoulder. That's why you're not healing as fast as you should be." He grabbed the bottom of my arm, and did exactly what I didn't want him to do. He jerked the shoulder back into place. I screamed in agony, and dropped out of the chair to my knees.
"Why did you do that?" I asked quietly, trying to find my voice. It barely came out in a whisper.
"I had to do that," he muttered, helping me to my feet. My shoulder was healing abnormally fast now. It was half way closed when I noticed Marina was staring.
"What?" I asked calmly.
"That's just interesting. How you heal so fast," she explained. It was already healed. "I have to wear armor and it takes weeks for something like that to heal on me."
"Well, that's what happens when you're half-Dragon." I smiled.
"Don't move, Ari," Tsuni muttered, grabbing my arm. Once he had a firm hold, he started to rotate my shoulder. It hurt for a couple seconds, but then the rotating made it feel better. "Better?"
"Yes," I nodded, then I yawned. "What time is it?" I asked, yawning loudly.
"It's three in the morning," Dies muttered, when I got to my feet.
"Where's the closest bedroom?" I asked, eyes drooping. I can't believe they had to bust out at three in the morning. I can't believe people were actually awake at three in the morning.
"Down the hall and to the right. Everyone gets a room to themselves. Tsuni and Ari, since you are the ship's main drivers, your rooms are across from each other, the closest ones to the control panel." Dies was holding up this paper that seemed to be the ships map, and the room arrangements. "Marina, your room's next to Ari's, my rooms right next to Tsuni's and Kiara, you're room's next to mine. We have one last room on this floor next to Marina's. All okay? Anyone against it?" No one answered. "Good. If you're tired, you can go to bed."
Everyone got up and walked away. Dies did the same. "G'night all!" I called out sleepily.
There were a couple replies some mumbles and Tsuni said, "Sleep well."
When I walked into the room, I nearly fainted. There was a bed. I mean, an actual bed. Even a pillow. I was impressed. I hopped onto the bed, and lay back. It was soft, and cushy, and deep, like the ocean. I started to drift off when a small intercom came on next to my bed. There was a voice on it. I didn't recognize it. I was too tired to anyway. It said, "I love you, Ari. Sweet dreams."^ Passage of Time^ I awoke that morning, early, for once. And another surprise is that I didn't have that same dream that night. It was different. I was flying over an ocean, and someone was at my side. Right when I looked over to see whom it was, I woke up. It was eleven a.m. Or at least that's what my bedside clock read. I got up and inspected my new room. I looked in my dresser. Everything was in order. Over on my door, there was a map of the ship. The kitchen was on the floor below this one. Then I looked over at my bed. Right by it was a little intercom with a small speaker. How interesting, I thought, looking curiously.
I left out of my room, and walked down the steps to the kitchen. Tsunaumi was already there, a pot of coffee made.
"Good morning," he said, smiling. "Sleep well?"
"Better than I have in fourteen years," I muttered, sitting down.
"Coffee?" he asked, looking over at me.
"Yes, please," I mumbled, sighing.
He was already up and fixing the cup. "Creamer?"
"Milk."
"Sugar?"
"Thirteen, please," I said, smiling at the reaction.
"Three?"
"Thirteen. You know, ten plus three?"
"Man, that's enough to kill you," he said, counting and putting in all the scoops. I grabbed the coffee, and took a long drink. "And that doesn't even give you a headache?"
"Kiara puts twenty-six," I muttered, snickering when he frowned. "Just kidding. She only puts twelve."
"It's still no better," he said, shaking his head sadly.
"Oh, shut up," I sighed, patting his shoulder.
"Good morning you two," came Dies sleepy yawn from the doorway. "Coffee. Tsuni, I didn't know you cared!" Dies faked shock.
"Knock it off," Tsuni muttered, handing him a cup of coffee he had already made.
"Thank you," Dies said, taking a sip. When he put his cup down, the ship gave a huge jerk, and a red light started flashing. Next thing I knew, all three of us were floating in the air, as was my coffee. I grabbed for it quickly and I drank the rest of it before it could fly off.
"Dies!!" Tsuni yelled, a look of pure disgust on his face.
"What? I checked the Gravity Suppressor for anything wrong, you know, rust, and such. Nothing. It was fine. Except for that loose screw I seemed to have looked over," Dies muttered most of the last part, but Tsuni still heard enough.
"If you don't get down there right now, I'll kill you," Tsuni muttered, shaking his head. The next thing he did, shocked me to the max. He started laughing. Hysterically. I ended up joining him. It was five minutes we were laughing, I was holding onto his shoulder then I had to stop to breathe.
"Why are we laughing?" I asked, out of breath.
"Because Dies is such an idiot. I can't believe he can make me so mad at his stupidity," Tsuni was shaking his head. He gave a last chuckle, then, the gravity turned back on, and we both went tumbling to the floor. I hit my head on the counter. Then I landed on top of Tsuni in a most 'interesting' position.
"Ari? Are you okay?"
"Mmft err fut," I said. It's not what I wanted to say, though. I wanted to say 'Ow, my head' but that's not what came out.
"Do you think you can stand up?" he asked, blushing furiously.
"Dunt tink fat vay!" I said. I wanted to say 'Don't think that way!' There was one problem. My head hurt like heck. I tried to get to my knees, but I only fell back down.
"Tsuni, I fixed it, you don't have to kill me," Dies said when he walked in but trailed off. Then he started laughing.
"Dies! Help her up! She cracked her head on the counter! Now she can't talk straight," Tsuni muttered, glaring.
"Just shove her off," Dies said, pulling out a thing I dreaded most. A camera. FLASH. Of course he has to be the one to take the picture.
"Nu suv or e nitch!" I spat, but I can't tell you what I wanted to say. Dies walked over and gently rolled me onto my back, off of Tsuni. "Fanks."
"Ari, are you okay?" Tsuni asked, unable to hide his concern.
"Peachy," I muttered, regaining my ability to talk normally again. "Why is it that every time we meet, I end up on the ground?" I asked, rolling my eyes.
"I have no idea." Tsuni smiled and stood up, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. When I tried to walk away, I lost my balance and nearly face-planted myself in the ground had Tsuni not threw his arms out and grabbed my around my waist, helping me regain my balance.
"You've really got to stop doing that," I muttered, turning to face him.
"Stop what?" he asked. I was lost in his eyes. They were so handsome and green.
"Holding me," I whispered. I could feel myself blushing. FLASH. It was Dies.
"If I let go of you now, you'd fall," Tsuni's replied calmly. He sidestepped in some weird way that made him look like a penguin and sat me on a stool. "You okay?"
"A little water and some ice would be great," I mumbled, smiling.
"That's it?" he asked, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. "Sure you don't want a Tylenol?"
"What?" I asked, raising one eyebrow.
"Tylenol. It's a medicine in a little capsule that helps headaches," Tsuni informed me, handing me the water.
"Interesting," I said, looking at him.
"You've never heard of them?" he asked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
"No," I said flatly.
"You are so Medieval," Tsuni said, smiling.
"Shut up," I was quick to shoot back.
"You know, for a Medieval Women you're very familiar with the common phrases on Earth."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You use 'shut up' very frequently. Normally, Medieval Women say 'silence' and whatnot." He smiled and handed ma a little plastic thing in the shape of an oval. It was half red and half yellow.
"Well, silence! What is this?" It was so small. My pinky nail was bigger than it, though it was almost as long.
"It's the Tylenol," Tsuni smiled. I popped the pill in my mouth only to spit it out into my hand.
"That's disgusting!" I spat, sticking my tongue out. "If you wanted to poison me, you could've just told me that!"
"It's not poison," Tsuni explained calmly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's not supposed to taste good, either."
"Great. So, you're telling me you want me to eat some disgusting plastic thing to help my head get better?" He nodded. "All right." I muttered some colorful words and placed it in my mouth, and drank some water to help it get down. "How long will it take?"
"About twenty minutes." Tsuni then got up and said, "In the mean time, you'll have to sit there. Hungry?"
"Yeah. Wait…you can cook too?!"
"Yes."
"Is there anything you can't do?"
