A/N: Reviews please!
Cassandra shifted the heavy bags from one aching shoulder to the other and resisted the urge to groan in pain.
Despite the fact that Teke was several inches taller and several pounds heavier, she had been relegated the task of carrying the duffel bags, crammed full of weapons, to the ship that would take them from Helion Prime to god knows where.
Not like he ever tells me anything anyway, she thought.
Cassandra had been orphaned at the tender age of ten years and had lived with a foster family for two years, before her loving uncle Teke had finally come to claim her.
She raised a tentative hand to her goggles and carefully pushed them further up on her nose, making sure no light slipped around the edges.
It was only about six in the morning, but the sun was already blazing heavily down on New Mecca and it was threatening to pierce the dark lenses of her goggles.
She had been extremely sensitive to light for a long as she could remember and it was just another thing for Teke to berate her about.
Finally, he slowed and she managed to catch her breath, before looking up at the massive ship that was to take her away from one of the only places she had ever called home.
Rick was idly checking passengers off his list, as they arrived. The ship was ready and they wouldn't be leaving for another two hours, so he had no real need to hurry.
He looked up as another pair came up the walkway.
The man was mid-to-late fifties with graying hair and fairly expensive clothes. He had an overbearing air of self-importance what with the way he walked and carried himself.
A smile played about Rick's lips, as he thought about how much the man reminded him of Paris.
Following the man was a very skinny teenage girl, carrying two large bags over her shoulders.
She looked like any other teenager out there, dressed in raggedy clothes that were definitely not as well made as her companion's and a black cap covering a shaven head.
As she approached, he noticed that she was wearing large goggles with very dark lenses over her eyes and had a series of silvery tattoos winding up her neck and over the right side of her face, stopping just at her temple.
She stopped, letting one of the large bags slide from her shoulder to the ground with a muffled thump and the man threw her an exasperated look.
"Don't stop. We're nearly there. And don't throw the bags around either. Those are very expensive weapons and if you break any of them........."
The girl rolled her eyes and picked the bag up again.
"Well, if you're so desperate to get to the ship, you could help carry the bags."
The man's face turned several shades of red and he took a warning step towards the girl.
"Why.....why you insubordinate little wretch ! Do not speak to me that way !"
He raised his hand to strike her.......
Cassandra closed her eyes, waiting for the blow to come.
It wasn't a suprise to her. Teke often struck her for taking the wrong tone with him, but the blows that rained down upon her didn't quash her spirit as he hoped. Instead they only made her stronger, more rebellious and also, hate him even more.
When it didn't come, she opened her eyes and looked up at him inquisitively.
Another man, younger than Teke, but older than herself, had caught Teke's arm before he could hit her.
Teke struggled in his grasp, but the man was much stronger, so it was to no avail.
"Let go of me, you ruffian!"
The guy narrowed his eyes slightly and tightened his grip on Teke's arm.
"I'm sorry sir. But you see, as the captain of this ship, I don't allow people to beat one another. Now are you going to be a good little boy or am I going to have to revoke your ticket ?"
His voice was deep, but smooth and it brought back memories that Cassandra had long since forgotten.
Still holding onto Teke's arm, he looked at her.
"Are you all right ?"
Rick didn't know why he was protecting this girl he didn't even know, but he felt some sort of connection to her.
She looked up at him, with a fierce glare and he was surprised to see her eyes were the same silver color that his had been only months before.
"I'm fine thank you. But I don't need your help. Yours or anyone else's."
Her voice was soft, with a lilting British accent, but it had a hidden strength to it.
Rick let go of the mans arm and watched as the pair made their way up the walkway into the belly of the ship.
Short, I know, but there will be a longer chappie soon.
Reviews please!
Much love to you all,
SpoonGirl1