Lost Souls & Changing Fate Part One: Lost Souls

Chapter Ten: Of Blood and Water

"If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared." - Machiavelli

Lucian's smirking face appeared on screen.

"Ah, ever noble sister. How shall you be coming onboard?"

"Lucian. Why did you do it?" Arianna asked, her voice emotionless

"Do what?"

"Betray our family, betray the Commonwealth" her voice raised in anger

Lucian sneered. Who did this little bitch think she was questioning him.

"Our family was weak. Our mother loved humans, that's why she chose you to succeed her. She knew you would protect the rights of her precious humans. You always had that little pink freak with you. What was it's name? Trance? You should have left it to die. And the Commonwealth. Nietzschean's should never have joined such a pathetic group, we should have ruled it."

Arianna had never experienced such hate in her life. Not his...hers.

"Why you... our mother chose me because she knew you were weak. Our father corrupted you, used you as his puppet. He was always bitter about only being a King in name, he felt women were too emotional to rule. But you... you are a kinslayer."

Lucian laughed bitterly. "You think that hurts me? What are you going to do about it? You don't have what it takes to kill me and I don't think you are going to stand by and let anyone else do it either."

"Well brother, you are right and you are wrong."

"Oh? Enlighten me then."

"You're right, I am not going to stand here and let someone else kill you. I'm going to do it myself."

With that Arianna opened fire on the last of her family. Within a few seconds the vessel was crippled.

"We're being hailed" Rommie said, looking between Dylan and Arianna.

"On screen" they said together

Lucian's face was bloodied, and the ship was falling apart behind him.

"Well done little sister, our father would be proud. But you're still too weak to finish the job."

"No" Arianna said, a single tear tracing down her face, "I'm not."

The Andromeda was rocked by the force of the explosion. No one in Command moved, everyone's gaze was fixed on the perfectly straight profile at the weapons console. As the Andromeda confirmed that there were no survivors everyone held their breath. Without a word or glance to anyone, Arianna turned on her heel and fled.

)0(

Rhade moved to follow her, but Trance delayed his with a hand on his arm.

"Let me Rhade"

"Trance, I have to go to her. She needs me."

"You will. Let me go first."

Rhade motioned her ahead and turned to Dylan.

"So what happens now?"

"I have absolutely no idea" Dylan replied, rubbing his face, "That was...I don't even have words."

Everyone nodded. There was a shared feeling of stunned admiration for Arianna, mixed with worry...and fear.

)0(

Trance found Arianna in Obs. deck, starring out at the debris drifting by.

"You didn't need to come after me you know."

"I know"

"I'm alright"

"I know"

"People always say that blood is thicker than water."

"Hmm"

"At least water won't try and kill you."

"True"

"I always looked up to Lucian when we were children. He always seemed so smart and brave."

"He was"

"What happened to him?"

"I don't think we'll ever know"

"Yeah."

They both leaned on the railing, contemplating the universe.

"Trance?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think this is going to change the way Rhade feels about me?"

"I doubt it."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Alright."

)0()0(

Author's Note: This is the end of part one. I hope you enjoyed the ride. Part two should be posted soon. If you have any ideas for what should happen next feel free to share them. As always, read and review or I'll sick the evil muse killing bunnies of doom on you.