A little Note:

Okay, I have chapter two right below, but since I didn't add an intro to chapter one, I'll do it here.

I like to write long, detailed stories, but I also try to add the elements that make a great story into mine. This story was based off of something floating around in my head for quite a long time. I felt I had to put it down in my word processor. After my brother snuck into my files and read it, he suggested putting it up here. Yay! So I did.

I'd appreciate it if reviewers would criticize in a kind manner. There's nothing I hate more than a mean bastard ranting on about a person's style and story. As a writer I aim to please other people and myself, so I try to improve with every chapter and every new story. This is the first one that I'm really satisfied with, and I hope it all turns out the way I want it to by the last word of the last chapter.

So, enjoy!

Chapter 2:

Saturnalia

Calan hated walking in his shoes. They were getting worn out, and with each step he took, it hurt a little more. He had a grimaced look on his face. Korrigan was looking at him. What's he looking at? Calan thought. Ramsey ain't so peachy himself. Don't know why he's suddenly interested in how I feel.

"What?" Calan asked Korrigan irritably.

"Nothing, man," Korrigan said, "but you look like you're in pain. And a lot of it."

"It's my shoes," Calan grumbled. "They're too worn out, and my feet are all sore. I've never done so much walkin' in my life. Why couldn't I go with Captain O'Donnell?" he asked rhetorically.

"The so-called city is not too far from here," Korrigan said.

"So-called?" Garnett asked, with his eyebrows raised. He'd been eavesdropping, and walking with great ease, for an old man. "Do I look as if I am lying to you, Korrigan?"

"No, but I can't see how it's possible. A city on Venom?"

"It's possible, and you will see it. It is underground, of course. Captain O'Donnell and his friend Commander Palowski believe me, and yet they have not been to Venom before. Do not be so shallow, Korrigan."

Korrigan hated being told off by the wise and ancient Garnett.

"So, what's this city's name, anyway?" he asked hotly, trying to stir up conversation again.

"I will tell you when we get there."

Korrigan didn't speak to Garnett for the rest of the trip.

The prisoners had walked many miles. At last Garnett came to a peculiar looking silo in the middle of a clearing. He tapped the button on the outside and muttered something. It opened. The prisoners stared in wonder. What in the galaxy was a silo doing in the middle of a jungle on Venom?

"Now there's a ladder leading down, so you'll need to put your bags around your body so you can climb down. That, or you can wait until some of us have climbed down and throw your things to us. Everyone follow me."

Garnett, though at least 60 something years old, descended down the ladder with good speed. Calan's bag was already slung around his shoulder, so it would be no problem. He followed Garnett down, and with every step he took, it felt as if he'd hit a blister. Wincing, he kept climbing down into the darkness.

"It'll be dark for a while," called Garnett, "but just keep climbing down."

Calan was determined not to slip and fall on the old man. He'd never catch the end of it, and he could seriously hurt the only tour guide they had.

They saw a light coming at the bottom. It had gotten so dark that Calan could barely see the top. The lights were brighter, and soon enough he was stepping off to a small room. There were red emergency lights flashing—but the room was silent, except for the sound of an air vent blowing.

"Where is this?" Calan asked Garnett, as others piled down.

"The entrance to the underground city," answered the old man, holding his wooden cane in one hand and a bag in the other. "My home."

"You live—?"

"Shhh, boy, not so loud. Wait until we get there."

Garnett lead them all to a large door. He leaned toward a speaker panel in the wall and said, "This is Garnett. I've got the next batch, and although many are new, I believe they are ready."

A masculine voice said back, "You're cleared, enter when ready."

Garnett turned to face the prisoners. "Welcome to the underground city of Venom, the peace and happiness of such a harsh world, the grand city of Saturnalia."

The door opened and suddenly they saw lights and hallways full of people. Some turned and stared. There were men and women of all ages walking past the stores and shops by the entrance. A sign pointed to the hospital, which appeared to be in view. The huge underground clearing showed a square with a statue in front of it. It was an explorer, one of the first to set foot on Venom. Hawkeye Morrison.

Calan had hardly seen anything like Saturnalia. It was a strange name for a city. He'd never heard of it. And something else was odd—that feeling of cool air...air conditioning? He had forgotten the feeling. It was wonderful.

Garnett spoke again. "You see, I didn't arrive at Venom thirty years ago. That was a lie. I was born in Saturnalia, the third generation of parents who'd arrived on Venom earlier. I've never left this planet, as that is not a good idea. Saturnalia is hidden from all outsiders, and no one but Saturnalians themselves know it is here. Now, Captain O'Donnell may have heard it from the legends passed down in Scipian families, the tale of a great underground city on a planet of lava, volcanoes, and wastelands. He must be at least part Scipian. There is no other way our good friend might have heard it otherwise. He will ask me questions himself regarding the nature of the city. I'll be meeting him with the mayor at the city council building. The rest of you will staying in hotels until I can get you settled. I'll give you the newcomer cards, and you'll stay at the hotels for free. There they'll give you rations until our services can settle you in. Ah, there's Jeremy!"

A freckled tabby dressed in a strange uniform came over to Garnett. He looked like he was about 16 years old.

"Jeremy, you'll be taking everyone except for Mr. Porter and Mr. Grissom."

Jeremy looked at the prisoners. "Lookin' dirty and horrible, sir. Rehabilitation is the first thing on their list. Sure you don't want those two you suggested?"

"I'll handle them myself, Jeremy."

Jeremy shrugged. "If you say so, sir. All right everyone, follow me! I'll be taking you to the check-in center near the hotels, and there you'll get your Blue Card! Now, this is your lifeline for now, so don't lose it because the city doesn't want to make loads of extras for you less-responsible men and women out there!" He went on talking and leading the way.

Garnett beckoned Calan and Abraham the other direction. Calan caught Korrigan's eye as he left. Envy.

Calan admired the marble floor he was walking on. That was near the statue. When they reached the large, wide hallways, the floor became something like thin carpet with who knows what underneath. His feet still hurt from all the walking, but he decided to put up with it. Now he'd at least have a life worth living.

Garnett lead them to an interesting building. Once more there were marble tiles, and there were desks near the doors. Secretaries kept chattering through on their telephones (no doubt reaching other people underground) and other people in suits and ties were talking, sometimes yelling, to each other. Garnett went into a room on the right, labeled "Conference Room" above the doors. He pushed his way in, and gave a small wave with his cane to Calan and Abraham. They hurried in.

The conference room was bare except for a square shape of tables and chairs to go with them. There was a man sitting at one of the tables, a Cornerian otter with silky looking brown fur. He seemed to have been doing paperwork. Near him sat Wolf and a chameleon Cornerian who could only be Leon Palowski.

"Mayor!" Garnett called.

The mayor looked up. "Oh, I didn't even hear you all come in! Sit down, sit down...."

Calan and Abraham picked a spot on the corner, close to Wolf and Leon. Garnett sat on the other side of the mayor.

"My name is Forrest Tucker," he said, leaning over the table and exchanging a handshake with each of them. "I'm the mayor of Saturnalia."

"Calan Porter."

"Abraham Grissom."

"Good, good," the mayor said quickly.

"I thought they'd be very reliable, since both claim to be innocent. Abraham and Calan killed another draytan this morning. Calan is the innocent party. And this man is a pilot."

"Oh Ray," sighed the mayor, "but what good are pilots these days? Saturnalia has no use—"

"But when the scientist comes, won't they?"

Garnett and Mayor Tucker stared at each other.

Tucker said, "I wish you'd stop giving hints like that. Are you telepathic like the rumors suggest? Can you get premonitions of the future?"

Garnett nodded his head. "They are more than rumors, and I don't believe that you, as one of my most trusted people, would doubt them."

"So what, you've been sensing that some looney scientist is coming? What difference does that make?"

"It makes all the difference in the world, if you knew what I know."

"Then tell me, Ray, don't leave it out."

"It is safer if I don't."

The mayor looked uncomfortable. "Fine." He looked at Wolf and at Leon. "So, you're part of a team...what was the name?"

"Star Wolf," answered Leon. "It's a renegade team of myself and Wolf."

"Is that so? And how is the outside world? What's going on? Is there anything outside you can tell us? History documents? Scientific breakthroughs? Anything at all? Weapons, perh—?"

"Forrest!" Garnett interrupted. "You will be updated in due time."

The mayor looked clearly annoyed. He turned to Wolf and Leon again.

"Well," he went on, "I apologize for not speaking much to you before these men arrived. I had to be sure you were who you said you were. So, now that I know, could you perhaps tell your stories?"

Wolf and Leon exchanged glances.

"I'll start," volunteered Wolf. "I was born and raised at Rosier City, Katina. When I was sixteen I went to the Corneria City Academy to train as a pilot. It was my dream and had been fulfilled. Two years later, after studying hard and taking tests, I finally recieved my wings to join the Cornerian Air Force. I'm surprised I didn't get kicked out over those two years—and believe me, I was close at points.

"After I'd left the Academy, I was ready to join the United Cornerian Space Force. I didn't really want to all that bad, and so I joined up with two of my best friends, Josiah Soren and Monica Zarek to build a starfighter—customized and everything. We built the Wolfen months later. I'm the only pilot of the group, but Josiah and Monica thought they'd chip in and help me. So they did, and soon enough I was jetting around. It took a few upgrades and repairs, since there were flaws, but we got it under control. I took the blueprints and everything with me when I left.

"I met Leon here while visiting Josiah on the Caiman Islands of Corneria. Turned out that he was a pilot trying to find work without joining the U.C.S.F.. I told him that he could be my man if he didn't mind getting into a bit of trouble, because where I was going, it would be a lot. Leon said he'd do it, and so we were off. I went to Josiah and Monica, asking them to build another one. I built two extras after that, just in case. Never can have too many ships, right?

"Leon and I were out of Corneria as soon as they were all finished and tested. We became good friends, and soon knew each other as good as I know my Wolfen. The two of us chose a team name, and it was Star Wolf, because I'd wanted to be the leader. Leon didn' t mind. We went to other solar systems, cooking up trouble, all in about a year's time. Then I said to Leon, 'Let's find that legendary city on Venom. We can do it, we're in starfighters, and those idiots don't pay attention anyhow.' So we left. And here we are. Turns out the rumors were true."

"Rumors?" asked the mayor. "Where did you hear those?"

"My cousin. My Scipian cousin." Wolf ran his fingers through the fur on his head. "Octavian was a fool to chase me down. Leon and I were at a bar at Cuzco, Fortuna about two years ago, when we'd first started. While I was in the Academy, I found out that my father was Scipian. He had changed his name to O'Donnell, but it was really Alexander, Marcus Alexander, the son of Scipian nobles back on Scipio. Octavian was my oldest uncle's son, and was about a year older than me. Well, we were at this bar, and who walks in? Octavian Alexander and some of his Scipian friends. Leon and I were just sitting quietly. So Octavian comes up to me, bashes us, and says that we're up to no good and that I'm the scum of the family. I asked him what he was doing there and that I didn't want anything to do with him. I hadn't seen him since my days at the Academy, see. Octavian said he was on his way to Venom to see the Underground City. He commented that it was folly for me to go. I said something profane to him, and Octavian pulled out his gun and aimed at my forehead. I told him that I wasn't afraid of him. Leon stood up and tried to distract him. I pulled out my gun in time to shoot the bastard, but not before he got me in the eye. It hurt so bad I could hardly use the other one to see, and Leon had to herd me out. There was a bad blizzard that day, and we had to travel in it for thirty miles to try and find a doctor far away from Cuzco. I must've gone unconcious after that, and the next thing I knew I was in a hospital bed. Leon told me that I'd killed Octavian and he had to lie to the doctor and say it was an accident. The doctor treated the eye but said I'd never be able to see out of it again. A day later I walked out of the hospital, determined to get out of Fortuna. It hasn't been easy, these past few years...."

Mayor Tucker was soaking in the information. "Of course not! What a great story! And I assume that's the same eyepatch you started out with?"

"It is."

"Amazing!"

"Thank you, Mayor. Like I said, it's been rough."

"I can only imagine...well, Commander Palowski, what's your story?"

Leon stretched his arms before speaking. "I was born and raised on the Caiman Islands of Corneria, where I spent the majority of my life living. I also went to the academy in Corneria City, but this was at least seventeen years ago. I have no extraordinary tales to tell like Wolf's, except for little adventures we've been on together. I rarely got in trouble at school, but back at the islands, I was something of a celebrity. My father made surf boards for a living, and my mother worked at an office building in Nurook Valley. I have a younger sister, Kim, and...that's about all."

The mayor looked disappointed that Leon didn't share anything more. Perhaps the commander was nervous about telling more than he had to. Calan also thought there was more to it than what Leon was telling.

"All right," Mayor Tucker, regaining the grin on his face, "I guess you two have had some good times together."

"True," said Leon.

"We're good friends and partners, but we only have two people. That's not much of a team, is it?"

"No, I suppose not..."

"Sir?" Calan said.

"Yes, young man?" the mayor asked, even though he was probably only twenty years older than Calan was.

"Might we—?"

"Go to your rooms? Of course!" Mayor Tucker pressed a button and right away a man in a uniform appeared. "Show these two to their rooms. Mr. O'Donnell, Mr. Palowski...if you'll remain...."

It was noon the next day when Calan finally emerged from his room to talk with Wolf. It turned out that Wolf's age was actually 20, three years younger than Calan. He was surprised. Wolf acted older, like a man in his 30's. Probably why Leon thought partnership was alright with this guy. Calan wished he could have Wolf's brain. He was witty and sly, and had a way of making people do what he wants them to do. Calan knew there was more to Wolf than what he saw on the outside and inside—a part hidden so deep that it would take the sharpest of blades to cut to it. Only a person of great power could get through to him.

Leon had little surface. He liked to keep to himself. Sometimes he'd let up and talk about things in life, but most of the time he kept the silence. Calan wanted someone to break his shell as well, to smash it into a thousand pieces so he could talk with the real Leon. It was obvious there was more to him also.

Wolf was lounging at the pool, near the jacuzis. He seemed almost asleep, with his eyes heavy and his body still. Calan sat down and sank his feet into the jacuzi. The water felt good on his blistered, sore feet.

"How you doing?" he asked Wolf.

Wolf grunted. "Fine."

"Like this place?"

"It's all right. Why?"

"I dunno. Curious. I didn't ask Leon. He doesn't talk much."

"Not to strangers."

"Xenophobic?"

"No, just not a huge talking person. When he does talk to a stranger, he's being totally serious and it's probably to warn the idiot or whoever to back off."

Calan pictured it in his head. "I see."

"So I'd not talk to him much, if I were you."

"Why?"

"Might pull a fast one on you. Stab you in the back when you're sleeping."

"What?!"

"Just kidding!" laughed Wolf. "Jeez laweez, man!"

"Oh," said Calan, starting to laugh weakly, "okay, yeah, joking."

"So," Wolf said, now looking as if ready to start a long conversation, "what were you wanting to talk about?"

"Nothing in particular. You're just a twenty-something, aren't you?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Well, I just thought...well I'm older than you, but I feel dumber."

Wolf laughed again. "Dumber? What, am I a genius or something? Mr. Porter, you deeply overestimate me."

"No, I don't think so, Wolf. Really."

"Okay, whatever you say, bud. I'm just Wolf O'Donnell, no one special."

Calan wanted to say that he was someone special. He and Leon were the only two people from the outside who had seen Saturnalia without being exiles. He was a pilot who could get them out of there, a leader of a rogue team. And he was Calan's ticket out. If only he could squeeze in the cargo area...was there room? Probably not. He'd die in there, anyway. Calan sighed. He didn't dare ask Wolf. What could Wolf do? Steal a transport? To get a bunch of criminals out? They deserved their exile. But not Calan. He alone was the innocent party. So he'd have a reason to get out. If he did...he could stay with relatives in Adratia, and the Lylatian governments would never know of it. They were all too busy with controlling territories that they would never notice someone leaving Venom. This much was true.

Wolf looked at Calan. "Something wrong?"

"Huh?" Calan snapped out of it. "Oh, no, nothing's wrong."

"Good. You looked like you might cry or something."

"I did? Just thinking is all."

"Uh huh. Well, I'd better go find Leon and see how he's doing. Haven't seen him all afternoon."

"Sure."

Calan found Korrigan's room dimly lit later that night. He walked in quietly, only to find Korrigan laying on the bed, watching TV. It was a news channel from Corneria. Calan guessed the Saturnalians were able to receive satillite signals from planets far away. Korrigan's eyes were drooping every few seconds.

"Korrigan? You awake?"

"Yeah."

"Want to talk?"

"I guess. What's up?"

Calan sat down on the edge of the bed. "I think we could sneak into the cargo space in Wolf and Leon's starfighters."

Korrigan looked at him sharply. "Are you insane? We'd never fit in there, and if we did, we'd run out of oxygen before we got past Bolse! You know there is no air in little compartments like that."

"It's our only hope."

"Yeah, and our last." Korrigan focused back on the TV.

"Ramsey, listen to me. We can't stay here. We belong back on Katina. Or at least off this planet."

"So?"

"Do you know what they call us, Ramsey? The Saturnalians call us the Outsiders. Why? Because we're from the outside. These people have never left this city. They are in isolation. No one knows they are alive. No one will ever know, either. It's no life."

"It's no life back at the camp."

"And it's the same here, only there's more stuff! Don't you see?"

"I don't. But I do know if you don't get your ass away from the TV I'm gonna kick it."

Calan moved away from the TV, unaware that he had stood up during this little argument.

"Have it your way," Calan muttered as he left the room.