Heero had been angry when he realized that the odd looking woman in front
of him had mentally raped him. What she had done was beyond what was
considered to be wrong. But something had tugged at him and his anger had
quickly faded. It was both a mixture of his training and something else.
Despite the fact that he had no secrets from her he still felt in control
of the situation as if what she had done was only a bad memory and even she
couldn't remember what she pulled out.
His town's leader had been angry when he had turned in the information as well as told him of his immediate leave, but he didn't care. The town had never needed him and now it seemed that something greater was coming. The few belongings he owned were slung over his shoulder in a leather pack, his staff still in his hand, when he came back to the ship. The door opened as if expecting him and he easily walked in.
Cassandra was seated in a chair her hand's flying over the controls in front of her. Long black hair up in a high pony tail fell to the floor in stark contrast to her ghostly white skin. Her body was ill proportioned and her facial features were small... too small for the size of her head. Her baggy sweat shirt and gei pants hid most of her body, but her skinny wrists and neck stuck out of the black cloth.
Heero let himself be seated on the floor, there were no other chairs, as the door closed and the shuttle began to rise. The silence was just there, it was almost companionable as the shuttle moved up into space. Heero couldn't help himself as he stood and looked out the window into the black, dotted with white. His eyes moved to a ship as the shuttle approached.
It was as black as the rest of space, but lights pointed out its furthest reaches. To Heero, who had never seen a ship before, it looked enormous. A giant oval made up the center, several stories high and wide. Three long ovals stuck out of the back and four round plates covered the sides top and bottom. A door opened up in the side and the small shuttle seemed to be eaten by the giant ship.
Heero watched Cassandra's hands as they moved over two different panels and the shuttle softly landed in the docking bay. Cassandra stood and took up her basket. Heero followed her trough the dark metal covered halls until them came to what looked to be a lab where Cassandra put down her basket.
"All rooms except personal quarters," Cassandra stated. Heero nodded, he could go anywhere on the ship he wanted except Cassandra's personal quarters. Heero followed Cassandra to his own quarters.
"Lights," Cassandra stated as she walked into the room. It was clean, empty (except for the basic furniture) and dark but looked comfortable enough.
//Simple things are voice activated... everything else uses the computer system. Once you are settled come to the lab, teach you.// Cassandra's voice explained in Heero's mind.
//Roger// Heero stated back in Cassandra's mind. Cassandra left as Heero emptied out his few belongings and, staff still in hand, traced his steps back to the lab. It was dark except for the eerie glow of computer screens and a 3-D image being projected in the center of a table.
Cassandra was at another computer her hands flying over the consul as words and data popped up on the screen. When Heero approached her fingers drew to a stand still and she activated the lights.
Although Cassandra poured a lot of information onto him, Heero soaked it up like a sponge. Compared to his training, using the computer consuls was easy and by the end of the day he was efficient on every one on the ship. Replicators provided his meals, the food didn't taste as good as it had on his planet but it was decent and water was plentiful.
The ship was not warm but it was not cold either, and his robes got in the way more than they helped. After learning how to use the replicator he easily researched the clothing it could produce and chose accordingly; faded jeans and a green tank top, which unknowingly showed off his toned and muscled body. Dark brown work boots kept his feet warm while a dark brown leather jacket covered his arms when they got to cold. His staff still never left his side.
Heero spent most of his time at first learning how to use the technology; he was taught how to operate both the shuttle and the main ship. His mind easily memorized the schematics for both ships and he went through the logs to find out as much as he could. As it turned out the voidus was smack in the middle of something called 'neutral territory' which was exactly what it sounded like. It was the border between Romulan, Klingon and Federation space; a neutral zone where the ships weren't supposed to shoot at each other. Like Cassandra had said they were safe for now but that could change when their portion of space became visible to the out side world.
The groups that were worthy of note were the Federation, Romefeller, Klingon Empire, Cardassians Empire, and Romulan Empire. The Federation was a group of ideally peaceful explorers. Mainly human, but also consisting of many other peaceful races. Romefeller was similar, based in human but more accepting of other less peaceful races. Heero could see just from what he was reading that the leader, Treize Khushrenada, was a shrewd man who wanted more than just as taste of power he now held. The Klingon, Cardassian and Romulan Empire were all very similar. War like and hating the federation, Kushrenada seemed to have the closest ties with those three empires. Heero kept the information in the back of his mind. He would think about it when it came to be that time.
After a week Heero had settled in and both inhabitance were used to each others presents. Heero felt like he was at home for the first time, although when he really thought about it... some thing was still missing. Cassandra finished the soil and physical samples taken from his planet about the same time he finished constructing the data part of the map of 01. It would make any one hard pressed to make a better map of a place. The information on it was vast and would tell you anything you needed to know.
//We move on to 04 now, I'm leaving you the bridge. We will arrive there in a few hours// Cassandra stated in his head as the two finished double checking the map for missing information and human error.
//Roger// Heero responded back. Cassandra always spoke to him through telepathy. Except to command the computer Cassandra never spoke out loud.
The bridge was dark and quite when he got there and Heero used the time to meditate and practice some of his magic. Controlling your mind was the first step to any form of magic powers. The beeping computer told Heero that the planet was now before him. He slipped on his leather jacket and picked up his staff, sliding it into the holster than he had made on his back. Cassandra was already on the shuttle, her basket of equipment packed.
An extra chair had been bolted to the floor and Heero took half the consol, controlling the shuttle as Cassandra controlled the door to the main ship. Heero let his eyes wonder over the planet as the small shuttle started toward it. 04 was very blue, different shads of blue and blue-green covered its surface and it was dotted in places with bright green.
Heero easily guided the shuttle through the upper atmosphere, the outer shield glowed red as it heated against the thicker air. His eyes scanned for a place to land, within the coordinates that Cassandra had specified. Each planet had a main power source, where the most information could be found. It made scanning and physical exploration time much less. Water seemed to cover most of the planet with only small islands, but those islands were covered in bright green plants.
//Here// Cassandra stated in Heero's head. Heero looked over at the biggest island he had seen yet, he couldn't see the other side. The shore seemed to be the only place with room for the shuttle so Heero guided the shuttle down like he had been doing it his entire life, not for the first time.
A wave of hot moist air bit into Heero's back as the door was opened. Almost simultaneously Cassandra and Heero removed their outer layers. Heero glanced over at Cassandra, he had never seen her with out the sweat shirt. Her torso was wrapped in some sort of bandages or something that substituted for a shirt. Her torso was impossibly long and compact corded muscles strung like wires across her body. Heero quickly grabbed the container of scanners, Cassandra would handle physical collection. A few minutes later Cassandra was far inland and Heero was double checking the scanners. He attached a transmitter that would tell him when they were done to his waist band and set off to do some exploring of his own.
His planet had always been lacking in water and in contrast it seemed as if this planet was drowning in it. The sound of waves against the beech was soothing to the ears as Heero walked along, watching the salty foam as it tried to reach the trees further in land. The dark blue of the sea was in contrast to the light cloudless blue of the sky and the sun made the water twinkle and shine. He squinted as he saw something further a head and hurried his pace. As he came closer it was clear that it was a human. The sound of laughter drifted on the wind and the figure came into focus.
Heero stopped and stared at the beautiful young man. His golden blond hair was plastered to his face as were his robes to his body except where they floated in the water around his thighs. His slim arms hung playfully at his sides before they darted out into the water accompanied by a bout of laughter. Heero was unsure of what do to next as he stood transfixed by the innocent playful image.
Suddenly the young man looked over at Heero, his eyes wide. Despite being in the water and dressed in water filled robes, he moved fast. He was on the shore, staff in his hand by the time Heero realized that he might be considered a threat. Cassandra had told him to be careful not to be seen, they wanted to come and go in quiet.
"Who are you!" the blond yelled. Heero weighed his options, he could turn and go back to the ship now but the young man would probably follow him.
"Explorer," Heero dead panned. The crystal clear blue eyes narrowed as the blond began to walk closer, staff out in front of him. As he got closer Heero realized that the young man was about his age and the staff he carried was the same make as his, except with different powers. The top most slot head the light purple stone of healing. Next down was the white of mind followed by the brown of earth. The last two were the dark blue of water and the light blue of air.
Heero's hand instantly grabbed for his staff as the young man got within a few feet of him. The young man stopped and the two looked each other over, judging intentions. Suddenly the young man's eyes widened and his posture dropped, his staff slightly drooping.
"I sense no bad intent from you," the young man said nicely. "My name is Quatre and who do I have the pleasure of addressing?" His voice was smooth a clear. It fluxed with his words and seemed to carry ease with it. Heero didn't lower his staff but slightly loosened his tense muscles.
"Heero," Heero stated. The waves crashed on the shore, a flock of gulls flew and landed in the sea, their white wings added to the sparkling water.
"Well, this is awkward," the blond laughed as he rung some of the water out of his robe. "So what are you doing on this island... or would on this planet be a better question?" Quatre asked.
Heero slightly frowned, he already answered that question, "Exploring," Heero dead panned.
"I see, not a big talker. That's ok, it takes all kinds. You don't have to be worried about me. I have empathy so I know that you mean me no harm. I won't attack you or anything," Quatre said. Heero looked Quatre over again. He was slim and pretty short, but muscled. Heero had no doubt that the young man could hold himself in a fight, especially with the size of his staff powers. But no matter what Heero was seeing he couldn't bring himself to be truly worried. The salt was starting to crust on his wrinkled pink tinged robes and his bare feed curled and uncurled in the warm sand. Heero shifted as the transmitter at his waist went off.
"Something done?" Quatre questioned.
"Scans," Heero dead panned. He turned and headed back the way he had come, replacing his staff in its holster on his back. He was thankful for his tank top; the warm most air was making him sweat. He distantly wondered why there weren't any bugs when he felt Quatre come up and fall into step with him.
"Do you mind if I come along?" Quatre asked innocently as he reached out to touch Heero. Heero unconsciously moved away, his training didn't allow for close contact and when others tried to touch him, they normally ended up unconscious for their troubles. Quatre seemed to sense this and didn't try again.
"Hn," Heero grunted. Quatre took that as an 'I don't care' and matched pace.
It took longer than Heero remembered to get back to the shuttle, Quatre on occasion made small talk but seemed happy enough to remain quiet. It wasn't an awkward silence just the quiet between two people with nothing to contribute. Heero heard Quatre gasp as the shuttle came into view.
"So you are from a different planet... How is it that you use a staff than?" Quatre questioned as he began to look around the outside of the ship. Heero went inside and glanced around form something dry for the blond to wear. The only thing he could find was Cassandra's giant black sweat shirt, it would have to do. Heero threw the sweat shirt at the blond as his amazed face came from around the back of the shuttle.
"I can wear this? Tanks, but really I want you to answer my questions," Quatre said, his voice muffled from underneath the sticky robes he was pulling off. Heero busied himself with the scanners.
Quatre looked tiny as he sat down in the door to the shuttle. The giant black sweat shirt went down to his knees and half of it hung off of his bare shoulder. His hair was ruffed up in an attempt to keep the sand and salt from crusting on it and letting it dry in mats.
"So what planet are you from?" Quatre asked again. Heero didn't look away from the scanners that he was now transferring data from.
"01," he dead panned. The blond frowned and looked at the sand; one slim leg came out from under the sweater so a toe could play in the grainy substance.
"Where is that," Quatre asked, his voice confused.
"Voidus," Heero dead panned. Quatre's frown deepened.
"But that would mean that you came from one of the war like planets... but your feelings are nothing like that. You're just a curious as me!" Quatre said. He looked his eyes determined and Heero finally looked at him from the scanners.
"The only battle we fight is against the planet that doesn't give us enough water," Heero said. For some reason Quatre's confusion bothered him, he could see the brilliance of the young man in those crystal clear blue eyes. Some one of his caliber should not be confused.
"So how did you end up here?" Quatre asked, choosing change topics. Heero got up as he finished his final scanner and sat down in the sand next to the door.
"Explorer," Heero dead panned. He felt like a broken record.
"Ya, you said that before," Quatre said, his voice laced with disappointment. Heero didn't respond it was a statement, not a question. The sounds of the waves and nature took over the area as Quatre mulled over Heero's origins in his head. Heero switched his attention from the sea, to the scanners, to Quatre and then back. Surprisingly the time quickly passed and Heero looked inland as Cassandra's quiet presents began to appear.
Heero nodded to her as she walked up to the door, full basket in her arms. Heero blinked when Quatre jumped and yelped.
"How did you get here?" Quatre panted. Heero's eyes narrowed slightly. Quatre was an empath; he should have felt her coming miles away. Cassandra shrugged but turned her eyes on the little blond. His eyes were wide, Cassandra was a sight – even if she hadn't some how hidden from the boys empathy. Before either of the boys could make a move Cassandra's eye lids fully opened and her burning green orbs bore into Quatre's mind. As it was with himself Cassandra's intrusion was momentary and left no marks.
"What do you think you are doing?" Quatre suddenly yelled. His hands grabbed for his staff and not a second latter the glint of a shield surrounded him. The red on his face seemed to be both anger and embarrassment, but his crystal clear orbs wavered in hurt and mistrust.
//Scans?// Cassandra questioned in Heero's mind, pulling his attention away from Quatre.
//Half an hour left// Heero responded. His eyes never left Quatre who was now looking between Cassandra and Heero with mistrust. With his strong mental abilities he would have felt that Heero and Cassandra were communicating mind to mind.
//Make your decision// Cassandra stated. Heero's eyes shifted to her as she took a few empty jars out of the basket and began walking along the beach. She was soon out of sight. Heero slowly turned his head back to Quatre. The young man was still standing, his face beat red and his knuckles white on his staff.
"You can trust her, she will never revile what she took," Heero stated.
"She mentally raped you as well... that's why you are forced to travel with her. There is something very wrong with her. Why don't you come to my village? We will take care of you..." Quatre started.
"I go where I please," Heero stated, cutting him off. There was a tense moment before Heero went back over to the scanners and began packing up those that were done. He felt Quatre's eyes on him as he moved.
"I can't sense anything from that woman," Quatre stated. Heero looked at him as he sat down in the door way, staff still curled in his fingers. "But you are right; I felt no intrusion in my mind. It feels like a bad dream that is fading so fast that the feelings are already gone and just the fact is left. Was it the same for you?"
"Hn," Heero grunted. Silence descended on the pair once again.
"What did you used to do on your old planet?" Quatre suddenly asked, his voice was quiet. Heero set the last of the scanners in their own basket and sat down in the sand, moving his staff out of the way to be comfortable.
"Soldier," Heero stated. Quatre looked at him, waiting for more information. When none came he leaned back on the door frame.
"I'm a healer... or I guess you saw that. I hate it! Not healing, but the people I heal. Because of my family and my power level everyone seems to think that I can only treat those they judge worthy. I really don't care if Margery is gaining weight, she can treat that and fix it herself... with so little food on this planet she shouldn't even be able to! And all my sister treat me like I'm a little baby that can't take care of himself..." Quatre rambled.
Heero's brain didn't try to process or register what the blond was talking about. It was stuck on Cassandra's words. Telepathy and mind powers were very different. Heero could used his mental powers to sense others intentions and speak mind to mind but he could not read the real thoughts of others. Telepathy was detailed and precise; sometimes it could even glimpse the future.
Quatre was not like Heero, yet Cassandra must have seen something in him. Some reason the blond would want to come with them. Heero looked up as he realized Quatre had stopped talking. Heero narrowed his eyes as he decided how to form his next question.
"Would you like to come with us?" Heero dead panned. Quatre blinked and cocked his head to one side. Emotions began spinning through is opened orbs as he considered Heero's words.
"When are you leaving?" Quatre asked, his voice was calculating and steady.
//Cassandra, when are we taking off?// Heero sent in the direction of Cassandra.
//When ever Quatre is ready// Cassandra sent back. Heero nodded and relayed the message to Quatre. Quatre blinked but stood.
"If I go home, than they will not let me leave again... do you have supplies that I could use?" Quatre asked, embarrassed. Heero nodded. Quatre's eyes looked off to the side and he softly bit his lower lip.
"Well, than let's be off then. My uchuu no kokoro tells me that this is the right thing to do," Quatre said brightly. Heero looked at the blond as he gathered his almost dry robes. Uchuu no kokoro must be what he called his empathy – his space heart.
//Cassandra, Quatre will be coming with us// Heero stated in Cassandra's mind. He got the equivalent of a mental shrug in return. Quatre had piled his robes and clothing in the corner of the shuttle and was looking over the control panels when Heero came in, the last of the scanners packed and ready to go.
"Cassandra is her name. These are control panels which send commands to the main computer..." Heero easily slipped into the technical explanation that Cassandra had given him and like Heero had Quatre soaked up the information.
mtc
His town's leader had been angry when he had turned in the information as well as told him of his immediate leave, but he didn't care. The town had never needed him and now it seemed that something greater was coming. The few belongings he owned were slung over his shoulder in a leather pack, his staff still in his hand, when he came back to the ship. The door opened as if expecting him and he easily walked in.
Cassandra was seated in a chair her hand's flying over the controls in front of her. Long black hair up in a high pony tail fell to the floor in stark contrast to her ghostly white skin. Her body was ill proportioned and her facial features were small... too small for the size of her head. Her baggy sweat shirt and gei pants hid most of her body, but her skinny wrists and neck stuck out of the black cloth.
Heero let himself be seated on the floor, there were no other chairs, as the door closed and the shuttle began to rise. The silence was just there, it was almost companionable as the shuttle moved up into space. Heero couldn't help himself as he stood and looked out the window into the black, dotted with white. His eyes moved to a ship as the shuttle approached.
It was as black as the rest of space, but lights pointed out its furthest reaches. To Heero, who had never seen a ship before, it looked enormous. A giant oval made up the center, several stories high and wide. Three long ovals stuck out of the back and four round plates covered the sides top and bottom. A door opened up in the side and the small shuttle seemed to be eaten by the giant ship.
Heero watched Cassandra's hands as they moved over two different panels and the shuttle softly landed in the docking bay. Cassandra stood and took up her basket. Heero followed her trough the dark metal covered halls until them came to what looked to be a lab where Cassandra put down her basket.
"All rooms except personal quarters," Cassandra stated. Heero nodded, he could go anywhere on the ship he wanted except Cassandra's personal quarters. Heero followed Cassandra to his own quarters.
"Lights," Cassandra stated as she walked into the room. It was clean, empty (except for the basic furniture) and dark but looked comfortable enough.
//Simple things are voice activated... everything else uses the computer system. Once you are settled come to the lab, teach you.// Cassandra's voice explained in Heero's mind.
//Roger// Heero stated back in Cassandra's mind. Cassandra left as Heero emptied out his few belongings and, staff still in hand, traced his steps back to the lab. It was dark except for the eerie glow of computer screens and a 3-D image being projected in the center of a table.
Cassandra was at another computer her hands flying over the consul as words and data popped up on the screen. When Heero approached her fingers drew to a stand still and she activated the lights.
Although Cassandra poured a lot of information onto him, Heero soaked it up like a sponge. Compared to his training, using the computer consuls was easy and by the end of the day he was efficient on every one on the ship. Replicators provided his meals, the food didn't taste as good as it had on his planet but it was decent and water was plentiful.
The ship was not warm but it was not cold either, and his robes got in the way more than they helped. After learning how to use the replicator he easily researched the clothing it could produce and chose accordingly; faded jeans and a green tank top, which unknowingly showed off his toned and muscled body. Dark brown work boots kept his feet warm while a dark brown leather jacket covered his arms when they got to cold. His staff still never left his side.
Heero spent most of his time at first learning how to use the technology; he was taught how to operate both the shuttle and the main ship. His mind easily memorized the schematics for both ships and he went through the logs to find out as much as he could. As it turned out the voidus was smack in the middle of something called 'neutral territory' which was exactly what it sounded like. It was the border between Romulan, Klingon and Federation space; a neutral zone where the ships weren't supposed to shoot at each other. Like Cassandra had said they were safe for now but that could change when their portion of space became visible to the out side world.
The groups that were worthy of note were the Federation, Romefeller, Klingon Empire, Cardassians Empire, and Romulan Empire. The Federation was a group of ideally peaceful explorers. Mainly human, but also consisting of many other peaceful races. Romefeller was similar, based in human but more accepting of other less peaceful races. Heero could see just from what he was reading that the leader, Treize Khushrenada, was a shrewd man who wanted more than just as taste of power he now held. The Klingon, Cardassian and Romulan Empire were all very similar. War like and hating the federation, Kushrenada seemed to have the closest ties with those three empires. Heero kept the information in the back of his mind. He would think about it when it came to be that time.
After a week Heero had settled in and both inhabitance were used to each others presents. Heero felt like he was at home for the first time, although when he really thought about it... some thing was still missing. Cassandra finished the soil and physical samples taken from his planet about the same time he finished constructing the data part of the map of 01. It would make any one hard pressed to make a better map of a place. The information on it was vast and would tell you anything you needed to know.
//We move on to 04 now, I'm leaving you the bridge. We will arrive there in a few hours// Cassandra stated in his head as the two finished double checking the map for missing information and human error.
//Roger// Heero responded back. Cassandra always spoke to him through telepathy. Except to command the computer Cassandra never spoke out loud.
The bridge was dark and quite when he got there and Heero used the time to meditate and practice some of his magic. Controlling your mind was the first step to any form of magic powers. The beeping computer told Heero that the planet was now before him. He slipped on his leather jacket and picked up his staff, sliding it into the holster than he had made on his back. Cassandra was already on the shuttle, her basket of equipment packed.
An extra chair had been bolted to the floor and Heero took half the consol, controlling the shuttle as Cassandra controlled the door to the main ship. Heero let his eyes wonder over the planet as the small shuttle started toward it. 04 was very blue, different shads of blue and blue-green covered its surface and it was dotted in places with bright green.
Heero easily guided the shuttle through the upper atmosphere, the outer shield glowed red as it heated against the thicker air. His eyes scanned for a place to land, within the coordinates that Cassandra had specified. Each planet had a main power source, where the most information could be found. It made scanning and physical exploration time much less. Water seemed to cover most of the planet with only small islands, but those islands were covered in bright green plants.
//Here// Cassandra stated in Heero's head. Heero looked over at the biggest island he had seen yet, he couldn't see the other side. The shore seemed to be the only place with room for the shuttle so Heero guided the shuttle down like he had been doing it his entire life, not for the first time.
A wave of hot moist air bit into Heero's back as the door was opened. Almost simultaneously Cassandra and Heero removed their outer layers. Heero glanced over at Cassandra, he had never seen her with out the sweat shirt. Her torso was wrapped in some sort of bandages or something that substituted for a shirt. Her torso was impossibly long and compact corded muscles strung like wires across her body. Heero quickly grabbed the container of scanners, Cassandra would handle physical collection. A few minutes later Cassandra was far inland and Heero was double checking the scanners. He attached a transmitter that would tell him when they were done to his waist band and set off to do some exploring of his own.
His planet had always been lacking in water and in contrast it seemed as if this planet was drowning in it. The sound of waves against the beech was soothing to the ears as Heero walked along, watching the salty foam as it tried to reach the trees further in land. The dark blue of the sea was in contrast to the light cloudless blue of the sky and the sun made the water twinkle and shine. He squinted as he saw something further a head and hurried his pace. As he came closer it was clear that it was a human. The sound of laughter drifted on the wind and the figure came into focus.
Heero stopped and stared at the beautiful young man. His golden blond hair was plastered to his face as were his robes to his body except where they floated in the water around his thighs. His slim arms hung playfully at his sides before they darted out into the water accompanied by a bout of laughter. Heero was unsure of what do to next as he stood transfixed by the innocent playful image.
Suddenly the young man looked over at Heero, his eyes wide. Despite being in the water and dressed in water filled robes, he moved fast. He was on the shore, staff in his hand by the time Heero realized that he might be considered a threat. Cassandra had told him to be careful not to be seen, they wanted to come and go in quiet.
"Who are you!" the blond yelled. Heero weighed his options, he could turn and go back to the ship now but the young man would probably follow him.
"Explorer," Heero dead panned. The crystal clear blue eyes narrowed as the blond began to walk closer, staff out in front of him. As he got closer Heero realized that the young man was about his age and the staff he carried was the same make as his, except with different powers. The top most slot head the light purple stone of healing. Next down was the white of mind followed by the brown of earth. The last two were the dark blue of water and the light blue of air.
Heero's hand instantly grabbed for his staff as the young man got within a few feet of him. The young man stopped and the two looked each other over, judging intentions. Suddenly the young man's eyes widened and his posture dropped, his staff slightly drooping.
"I sense no bad intent from you," the young man said nicely. "My name is Quatre and who do I have the pleasure of addressing?" His voice was smooth a clear. It fluxed with his words and seemed to carry ease with it. Heero didn't lower his staff but slightly loosened his tense muscles.
"Heero," Heero stated. The waves crashed on the shore, a flock of gulls flew and landed in the sea, their white wings added to the sparkling water.
"Well, this is awkward," the blond laughed as he rung some of the water out of his robe. "So what are you doing on this island... or would on this planet be a better question?" Quatre asked.
Heero slightly frowned, he already answered that question, "Exploring," Heero dead panned.
"I see, not a big talker. That's ok, it takes all kinds. You don't have to be worried about me. I have empathy so I know that you mean me no harm. I won't attack you or anything," Quatre said. Heero looked Quatre over again. He was slim and pretty short, but muscled. Heero had no doubt that the young man could hold himself in a fight, especially with the size of his staff powers. But no matter what Heero was seeing he couldn't bring himself to be truly worried. The salt was starting to crust on his wrinkled pink tinged robes and his bare feed curled and uncurled in the warm sand. Heero shifted as the transmitter at his waist went off.
"Something done?" Quatre questioned.
"Scans," Heero dead panned. He turned and headed back the way he had come, replacing his staff in its holster on his back. He was thankful for his tank top; the warm most air was making him sweat. He distantly wondered why there weren't any bugs when he felt Quatre come up and fall into step with him.
"Do you mind if I come along?" Quatre asked innocently as he reached out to touch Heero. Heero unconsciously moved away, his training didn't allow for close contact and when others tried to touch him, they normally ended up unconscious for their troubles. Quatre seemed to sense this and didn't try again.
"Hn," Heero grunted. Quatre took that as an 'I don't care' and matched pace.
It took longer than Heero remembered to get back to the shuttle, Quatre on occasion made small talk but seemed happy enough to remain quiet. It wasn't an awkward silence just the quiet between two people with nothing to contribute. Heero heard Quatre gasp as the shuttle came into view.
"So you are from a different planet... How is it that you use a staff than?" Quatre questioned as he began to look around the outside of the ship. Heero went inside and glanced around form something dry for the blond to wear. The only thing he could find was Cassandra's giant black sweat shirt, it would have to do. Heero threw the sweat shirt at the blond as his amazed face came from around the back of the shuttle.
"I can wear this? Tanks, but really I want you to answer my questions," Quatre said, his voice muffled from underneath the sticky robes he was pulling off. Heero busied himself with the scanners.
Quatre looked tiny as he sat down in the door to the shuttle. The giant black sweat shirt went down to his knees and half of it hung off of his bare shoulder. His hair was ruffed up in an attempt to keep the sand and salt from crusting on it and letting it dry in mats.
"So what planet are you from?" Quatre asked again. Heero didn't look away from the scanners that he was now transferring data from.
"01," he dead panned. The blond frowned and looked at the sand; one slim leg came out from under the sweater so a toe could play in the grainy substance.
"Where is that," Quatre asked, his voice confused.
"Voidus," Heero dead panned. Quatre's frown deepened.
"But that would mean that you came from one of the war like planets... but your feelings are nothing like that. You're just a curious as me!" Quatre said. He looked his eyes determined and Heero finally looked at him from the scanners.
"The only battle we fight is against the planet that doesn't give us enough water," Heero said. For some reason Quatre's confusion bothered him, he could see the brilliance of the young man in those crystal clear blue eyes. Some one of his caliber should not be confused.
"So how did you end up here?" Quatre asked, choosing change topics. Heero got up as he finished his final scanner and sat down in the sand next to the door.
"Explorer," Heero dead panned. He felt like a broken record.
"Ya, you said that before," Quatre said, his voice laced with disappointment. Heero didn't respond it was a statement, not a question. The sounds of the waves and nature took over the area as Quatre mulled over Heero's origins in his head. Heero switched his attention from the sea, to the scanners, to Quatre and then back. Surprisingly the time quickly passed and Heero looked inland as Cassandra's quiet presents began to appear.
Heero nodded to her as she walked up to the door, full basket in her arms. Heero blinked when Quatre jumped and yelped.
"How did you get here?" Quatre panted. Heero's eyes narrowed slightly. Quatre was an empath; he should have felt her coming miles away. Cassandra shrugged but turned her eyes on the little blond. His eyes were wide, Cassandra was a sight – even if she hadn't some how hidden from the boys empathy. Before either of the boys could make a move Cassandra's eye lids fully opened and her burning green orbs bore into Quatre's mind. As it was with himself Cassandra's intrusion was momentary and left no marks.
"What do you think you are doing?" Quatre suddenly yelled. His hands grabbed for his staff and not a second latter the glint of a shield surrounded him. The red on his face seemed to be both anger and embarrassment, but his crystal clear orbs wavered in hurt and mistrust.
//Scans?// Cassandra questioned in Heero's mind, pulling his attention away from Quatre.
//Half an hour left// Heero responded. His eyes never left Quatre who was now looking between Cassandra and Heero with mistrust. With his strong mental abilities he would have felt that Heero and Cassandra were communicating mind to mind.
//Make your decision// Cassandra stated. Heero's eyes shifted to her as she took a few empty jars out of the basket and began walking along the beach. She was soon out of sight. Heero slowly turned his head back to Quatre. The young man was still standing, his face beat red and his knuckles white on his staff.
"You can trust her, she will never revile what she took," Heero stated.
"She mentally raped you as well... that's why you are forced to travel with her. There is something very wrong with her. Why don't you come to my village? We will take care of you..." Quatre started.
"I go where I please," Heero stated, cutting him off. There was a tense moment before Heero went back over to the scanners and began packing up those that were done. He felt Quatre's eyes on him as he moved.
"I can't sense anything from that woman," Quatre stated. Heero looked at him as he sat down in the door way, staff still curled in his fingers. "But you are right; I felt no intrusion in my mind. It feels like a bad dream that is fading so fast that the feelings are already gone and just the fact is left. Was it the same for you?"
"Hn," Heero grunted. Silence descended on the pair once again.
"What did you used to do on your old planet?" Quatre suddenly asked, his voice was quiet. Heero set the last of the scanners in their own basket and sat down in the sand, moving his staff out of the way to be comfortable.
"Soldier," Heero stated. Quatre looked at him, waiting for more information. When none came he leaned back on the door frame.
"I'm a healer... or I guess you saw that. I hate it! Not healing, but the people I heal. Because of my family and my power level everyone seems to think that I can only treat those they judge worthy. I really don't care if Margery is gaining weight, she can treat that and fix it herself... with so little food on this planet she shouldn't even be able to! And all my sister treat me like I'm a little baby that can't take care of himself..." Quatre rambled.
Heero's brain didn't try to process or register what the blond was talking about. It was stuck on Cassandra's words. Telepathy and mind powers were very different. Heero could used his mental powers to sense others intentions and speak mind to mind but he could not read the real thoughts of others. Telepathy was detailed and precise; sometimes it could even glimpse the future.
Quatre was not like Heero, yet Cassandra must have seen something in him. Some reason the blond would want to come with them. Heero looked up as he realized Quatre had stopped talking. Heero narrowed his eyes as he decided how to form his next question.
"Would you like to come with us?" Heero dead panned. Quatre blinked and cocked his head to one side. Emotions began spinning through is opened orbs as he considered Heero's words.
"When are you leaving?" Quatre asked, his voice was calculating and steady.
//Cassandra, when are we taking off?// Heero sent in the direction of Cassandra.
//When ever Quatre is ready// Cassandra sent back. Heero nodded and relayed the message to Quatre. Quatre blinked but stood.
"If I go home, than they will not let me leave again... do you have supplies that I could use?" Quatre asked, embarrassed. Heero nodded. Quatre's eyes looked off to the side and he softly bit his lower lip.
"Well, than let's be off then. My uchuu no kokoro tells me that this is the right thing to do," Quatre said brightly. Heero looked at the blond as he gathered his almost dry robes. Uchuu no kokoro must be what he called his empathy – his space heart.
//Cassandra, Quatre will be coming with us// Heero stated in Cassandra's mind. He got the equivalent of a mental shrug in return. Quatre had piled his robes and clothing in the corner of the shuttle and was looking over the control panels when Heero came in, the last of the scanners packed and ready to go.
"Cassandra is her name. These are control panels which send commands to the main computer..." Heero easily slipped into the technical explanation that Cassandra had given him and like Heero had Quatre soaked up the information.
mtc