This is without a doubt a turning point in the story, and I ask that if you really have trouble with tragedy take caution in reading further. Thanks for reading so far and I hope you like this new chapter.
And thanks especially to my reviewers; Samanthe2121, Valda, Rose Re2.0, Realfanficts, Stargirl915, April4rmH-Town, TTHPFan, Itxprincessxlala, and Johnn23.
Chapter Seventeen
One loss too Many
"Forgive me my husband but I cannot. I regained consciousness in my cell and have seen very little. I wish I could help you more."
"Don't worry Star you already have, we're coming to get you just hang in there." Starfire nodded at an imaginary Robin. She began to hear static building up. "Starfire?" She moved her ear to the orb.
"Robin? Robin do not go!" she said frantically. She heard more garbled sounds from Robin then the signal died all together. She paused while listening to the static, hoping that Robin would somehow make another connection. After a good ten seconds of nothing Starfire shook his in a desperate want to hear his voice. She finally accepted the fact that she was no longer in contact with him and set it down on the floor. "Please Robin, please arrive soon." She could feel it. Soon Anubis would come and demand her child. Starfire frowned as she thought about it more and more. If Anubis wanted her baby, he was going to have to one hell of a fight on his hands.
BACK AT THE TOWER………….
Robin stared down at his comm. link for as long as Starfire had done the same thing. It was plainly obvious, the symbiotic connection they shared. One could not survive without the other, not for very long. Robin neglected the fact that he needed a shower from his workout and headed straight for the common room. He burst on through and found Cyborg, Beast Boy and Taka talking amongst themselves.
"I need to know how soon we can leave." They all looked over at him in surprise.
"In just a little while," said Cyborg. "Blackfire's installing the new generator in the T-Ship right now."
"Good, because we launch yesterday." Taka rose from her sitting position.
"What has happened Robin?"
"Starfire just contacted me." The other two jumped up.
"She did!"
"What did she say? Is she okay?" Robin threw his hands up to silence them all.
"She couldn't tell me much; all she said was that as far as she knew Anubis hadn't moved and that her father was still alive." He paused trying to remember the whole conversation. "I think it goes without saying that we really can't afford to waste any more time." Blackfire's face appeared on the screen.
"I couldn't agree more," she said with a wide smile. "Oh by the way Cyborg I made a few extra modifications to your little ship." Cyborg's human eye twitched.
"Y-You what? You changed around the T-Ship!"
"You wanna see?" she asked persuasively. Cyborg crossed his arms in a bad-tempered way.
"Yes! Don't touch anything else I'm coming down there."
"Don't bother, I'll show you." With that the screen turned off and the Titans were left confused.
"Huh?" At once a bright light shown in the middle of the room and Blackfire appeared in its place. They stood wide eyed and it was Cyborg who made the first comment. "Whoa."
"I believe the phrase is 'beam me up Scotty'." Cyborg looked back at Robin who nodded with smile.
"Okay the past aside, that had to be coolest thing I've ever seen." Blackfire almost looked humbled.
"How else do you plan to get Starfire and Raven off Anubis' ship? Though mind you the shields will have to be brought down first before any type of transport can be attempted."
"And do not forget the sensory arrays," said Taka. "One or two of us will have to board one and keep the others from detecting our presence. Otherwise Anubis will waste no time in launching entire squadrons of attackers against us." Robin took in the intel and nodded with finality. He walked up to the large window and after staring outside for quite awhile turned to his teammates.
"We're all family here," he said sincerely meaning it. "Some of us coming to realize that later than others." Blackfire looked away from him. "Starfire and Raven are our family and no one screws with our family." Cyborg barely nodded as he shouted the same thing in his head. "Let's go bring them home."
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Not long after Robin's speech they filed downstairs to subterranean hanger and prepared to embark on their rescue mission. Blackfire and taka took up the seats usually occupied by Starfire and Raven. Beast Boy buckled himself in while watching the two girls.
"You know when we do get Star and Raven it's gonna get kinda cramped in here."
"We'll deal with it," said Robin in his leader tone. Beast Boy sweat dropped though looked forward to generously sharing his seat with Raven. Cyborg clicked a few switches which activated the large elevator the T-Ship sat on. It rose to the surface and in a few moments Cyborg fired up the engines. "Titans, Launch!" The T-Ship took off vertically then shot up into the sky. "How're we looking Cyborg?" Cyborg glanced at his screen and ran a full systems check.
"Inertial dampeners operating normally, looking realll good. Blackfire, the moment we breach the atmosphere feel free to jump into hyperspace." Blackfire tapped her ear piece.
"Whatever." They finally did reach the blackness of space and turned on the hyperdrive. As soon as she did though their displays and controls went dark followed by the ship going flat dead. Her mouth dropped in shock. Robin ripped off his head set and cast an angry glare back at Blackfire. She went from frantically looking about her controls to shrugging innocently at Robin.
"Guys we've got a problem." Robin stiffly put his headset back on.
"What is it?"
"Well we just happened to loose power too shallow and if we don't do something soon we're gonna fall back to ocean." Already ahead of him Blackfire opened a small panel beneath the main controls. Taka nervously bit her nails while Beast Boy cast an anxious gawk out his window at the growing planet.
"Blackfire, I can see our house!"
"I'm working on it," she shouted back at him. She quickly replaced a few stray chips and upon doing so the ship lit back up again. "Engaging hyperdrive." A bluish purple wormhole appeared before them and they zipped into it. Once they began their steady journey through hyperspace Blackfire smiled and relaxed in her seat. She then looked over at Beast Boy's pod. "And you were worried." Beast Boy looked back at her as though she'd asked what color he was.
"Yeah, yeah I was worried."
BACK ON ANUBIS' SHIP………………..
Arameth sat at his own smaller throne as one of his servants approached. He knelt down before him and he forced a sigh out of Raven. After a long and agonizing silence for the servant Arameth cleared his throat.
"Ssspeak."
"Forgive me, but I am afraid one of the subjects you provided has resisted the re-programming." He tilted Raven's head at him.
"You could not break him? Not when Anubis' need is great?" The servant lowered his head in shame.
"Please forgive me; I will not fail Lord Anubis again." The parasite inside Raven curved her lips into an evil smile.
"No, you will not." And just as the words were uttered the servant knew he was doomed he found himself being forced backward toward the window. Arameth then phased him through the wall and into space.
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The Titans soon emerged from hyperspace outside of the Andale system. Robin powered down all non essential systems to avoid detection, if that was at all possible. Taka scanned the closet sensor array and performed a series of checks on the defenses. Having told her to do so before they left Robin glanced back at her.
"What have you got Taka?"
"I believe the shields are weak enough for the transport beams to penetrate, and there don't appear to be any weapons automated or manned."
"Okay, Blackfire you'll beam aboard and-"
"Wait Robin," said Taka as Blackfire was about to protest herself. "Please I would like to go."
"I don't know Taka, maybe not this time around."
"Aw come on Rob," he heard Cyborg say. "The girl's part of the team right?" he didn't wait for Robin to respond. "Besides it may be good to have Blackfire onboard Anubis' ship encase we need a door opened or something."
"Yeah thanks," said Blackfire with an unappreciative drawl. Robin switched the mics so only Cyborg would hear him.
"Cyborg she's not that experienced, and this isn't Dr. Light or something we're dealing with Anubis. He's about a thousand bad guys worse."
"I know Rob and I understand. But Taka's never going to get any experience if you have her just reading computer screens and running diagnostics." Robin sighed hesitantly. "Come on Robin. Tell you what, I'll go with her. We already had to postpone a steak-out/date for this early flight." Taka watched them talk, though she could not read their lips she had a feeling as to what Robin was saying. 'I told them, I'm not afraid.' Robin groaned as he knew in some way he was going to regret this. He switched the mics back to normal.
"Taka, you and Cyborg prepare to beam aboard the sensor array." Taka did her best to hold in her excitement and she and Cyborg unbuckled themselves. "Taka did you bring that triangle thing with you?" She shook her head and Robin nodded. "Just checking." Within moments they were sounded in white light and they were gone. Robin stared out at the large antenna-like structure with foreboding. 'I sure hope I've done the right thing.' "Cyborg, you there?" A few seconds of static passed, which was more than enough to worry the boy wonder.
"Yeah Rob you got us," came Cyborg's reply.
"Alright what's your status?" Inside taka put the finishing touches on the last auto laser cannon that had grabbed their attention.
"A few minor road blocks here and there but nothing we couldn't handle. We let you know when they're blind. Maintain radio silence until then."
"Gotcha," responded Robin. And they waited. While they floated stationary outside sensor Blackfire finally braved a look at the massive ship ahead of them. It grabbed her attention in a way that both astounded and frightened her. 'Me! Scared? Not a chance.' She thought with an amount of ego. Back on the sensor Taka made a few changes to some key systems and nodded over at Cyborg.
"Rob, roads clear you're free to go."
"Good work, we'll pick you up on the way back." Robin steered the T-ship away and headed straight for the giant vessel not far from them. As they got closer Robin's moth slowly opened. "Why is it every time I see this thing I feel like it's gonna come to life and swallow us?"
"It just might dude," chuckled Beast Boy. Robin stopped their little craft a few hundred feet from it.
"Blackfire your sure we can't beam in anywhere?" Blackfire double checked her findings but did discover something she missed.
"Looks like its Starfire and Raven's luck day. It appears the shields are weaker near the communications node. The beams should be able cut though without getting you noticed. Too much," she added with a grin and biting her lip. Robin looked back at her reproachfully and unbuckled himself.
"Beast Boy and I are going to beam on over then, Blackfire circle around and wait for one of us to signal you."
"Me," said Blackfire gesturing to herself in surprise. "You're seriously going to trust your only means of escape with me?"
"I was going to give it to Taka, but now she's busy. So yes I'm going to leave you with the ship. I wanted to tell Star what a good sister you've become so 'in the interests of doing what's right'," he semi-quoted. "Don't disappoint me." Blackfire smirked once again and let out a short laugh.
"My my Robin, you almost sounded just like Anubis right there."
"Just beam us over," said Beast Boy. Blackfire hardly waited for them to be ready and activated the transporter. From Robin's perspective he became surrounded in blinding white light and when it passed he found himself not in his pod but on the other ship. He looked about until he found Beast Boy looking himself over to make sure he still had ten fingers and ten toes.
"Dude that had to be freakiest thing that's ever happened to us."
"Naa there's been freakier, and you know it. Come on." Beast Boy followed him as Robin led the way in a stealthy manner.
"I'm sorry it's just the whole 'having your molecules being taken apart then put back together' thing." Robin bobbed his head slightly in agreement.
"You'll get over it. But the first order of business is to find out where our missing Titans are. We know Starfire is probably locked up so I'll head for the detention level. Raven, being Arameth's host, is more than likely in one of the nicer quarters. If you can't find her that way look around for any escorts and see if she's with them."
"Wait a minuet split up? I don't think such a good idea."
"We'll cover more ground this way. And they need to be rescued in such a way that by the time ol' Darth Vader finds out we'll be long gone."
"Hasn't it occurred to that maybe he already knows we're here?" Robin paused. "You know he's got that whole super psychic thing going."
"To be honest yes it did and I figured it's a chance we're going to have to take. Now you go that way and I'll go this way."
"Wait I go this way and you go that way?"
"Yeah."
"Where did you come up with that!"
"It's just a hallway Beast Boy; it only goes this way and that way." Beast Boy entered deep thought and pointed down each direction. Robin rolled his eyes and began taking his direction. "Just get moving." The changeling silently cursed, then morphed into a swift mouse and scurried along the wall.
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Starfire sat alone in her cell looking down at the dead transmitter. That few minuets she had spoken with Robin could have possibly been her last, and she would have given anything to ay just a few more words.
Robin found his way down to the cell block and decided that the one with two armed guards was probably Starfire's. He glanced behind him to make sure no one was sneaking up then grinned as he readied a couple of bird-a-rangs. Starfire thought she heard someone coming but only figured it was the indestructible overlord that commanded this ship. Just as she expected her door opened and she swallowed resolutely.
"You may do with me what you will, but you will never see my child."
"That's a shame." Her eyes widened as that voice could only belong to one person. She turned and saw Robin standing in the open doorway with a smile. "You know, to go through all that waiting and not get to see him."
"Robin!" She jumped up and threw her arms around him. They both forgot for a short instant where they were and they were home. They pulled apart and Robin saw a tear of happiness. "Y-Your timing is impeccable." He chuckled and looked back outside her cell.
"We don't have a lot of time, and chances are Anubis knows we're here. Here take this…" He handed her a stunning weapon. "It em' off your 'bodyguards', I'm afraid it's the best I can do until we figure out a way to change you back."
"Thank you, it will suffice." She said nodding. He noticed her looking despondent.
"We are going to find a way."
"I know Robin, I know." Robin took her hand and she held on tightly.
"Let's go." They moved swiftly down the halls make doubly sure they didn't run into a surprise patrol. Robin peeked around a corner and gestured for Starfire to stay behind him. She moved against the wall waiting for his next instruction. He turned back to her and silently motioned to move around and begin firing on the count of three. She nodded in compliance and he counted up on his fingers. He reached three and they leapt around the corner. Their stunners chirped before letting loose short bursts of energy. The passing guards barely had time to see them coming before getting hit and going down unconscious. Starfire eyed the stunner.
"These weapons are most efficient." Robin was about to agree when they heard more footsteps. They quickly pulled away the knocked out guards and hid. Starfire crouched behind Robin and peeked over his shoulder. They both looked about in opposite directions trying to see who was coming. Starfire saw who it was and padded Robin's arm. "Robin, is that not Speedy?" Robin glimpsed at him and saw that it was. What's more was that he wasn't being led anywhere by guards or sentinels.
"Yeah it is, what the hell is he doing here? Come on." They followed him but stayed far enough behind so as not to alert him of their presence. He made his way down a flight of stairs that led into a larger room. Robin and Starfire stopped at the top and instead moved to a balcony overlooking the room. As they moved closer they heard a distinct voice, obviously talking to a large crowd. They carefully looked over the edge of the balcony and saw Anubis on a platform speaking to a group of thousands.
"You are the children of my dominion; all will crumble beneath your power." The two Titans looked about the crowd trying to find Speedy. They saw at least twelve different species and down in the corner they spotted them, Titans East. They also Kole and Knark and many other of their Titan acquaintances. "Go now, and in my name conquer entire worlds." Like a wave the crowd knelt down and chanted.
"Hail Anubis! Hail Anubis!" Starfire held onto Robin's hand as she felt herself becoming sick.
"I think things just got ten times worse," muttered Robin. "We need to move." They began to crawl away as subtly as possible and despite their best efforts they didn't go unnoticed by Bumble Bee. She narrowed her eyes up at them and screamed at the top of her lungs.
"ANUBIS!" Robin and Starfire froze. "Lord Anubis! They're up there!"
"Great," spat Robin. "We really need to move NOW!" They dispensed with the stealthy maneuvers and just took to sprinting down the halls as fast as they possibly could. As the room quickly emptied to give chase Anubis calmly made his way in another direction.
ELSEWHERE ON THE SHIP……………
Raven, or Arameth, stood in his quarters just now hearing the alarm going off. He motioned for his guards to take up station outside his room then slipped on his hand device. He adjusted a few settings on then heard the door open.
"What are you doing? I told you to stay outsi-" He stopped when he saw Beast Boy walking in. He kicked over the knocked out guard. Arameth made a short movement and Beast Boy quickly pulled the guard's stunner out of its holster.
"Don't move," he said quickly. Arameth remained stationary. Beast Boy moved closer to him. "Where's Anubis?" Arameth smirked and made Raven's eyes glow.
"Where you and the other Titans will never find him."
"I wouldn't bet on that."
"If you shoot me, you'll only harm me partially. You will do more damage to the host."
"Raven's tough, she can handle it. One way or another I'm not leaving here without her."
"Well your right about one thing." Arameth started to approach him. "You're not leaving." He began to raise his hand.
"Don't!" Beast Boy re-pointed the gun at her. He came closer still will stretching his hand out. "I'm warning you!" But Beast Boy knew as well as Arameth did, he could never harm Raven. Before Beast Boy could step away Arameth was bearing down on him with his hand device and was drilling the painful energy into his head. Beast Boy's stunner hit the floor and he fell to his knees. He let out painful gasps while trying to stay conscious. "R-Raven, p-p-please."
"My host will not help you. You are both mine." Robin and Starfire suddenly burst on through the door and quickly closed it behind them. For a second they stood in apprehension at what they saw then Robin took aim.
"RAVEN!" But Arameth took little to no notice of them and continued to torture Beast Boy to death. "RAVEN DON'T!" He had no choice; Robin double checked his aim and zapped Raven off the shoulder. She fell to the floor as did Beast Boy. He sat up and rubbed the reddened spot on his head. "You okay?"
"I think so," he said. He took gentle hold of Raven's shoulder and turned her over. He found her in tears and breathing hard.
"Beast Boy," she whimpered. "It hurts." He cupped her face and kissed her.
"I know Raven don't worry it won't last for much longer." He looked up at Starfire. "Star please tell me you can get this thing out of Raven."
"I know of one way, but it will be difficult for both of us." Beast Boy helped her up into a sitting position and Raven winced horribly.
"Arrgh, he's coming back! Kill me now!"
"DO IT STAR!" Starfire pulled the hand device off Raven's hand and slipped it over her own. Robin jumped up.
"Star you can't use that."
"I must Robin, once will not hurt me too much." Starfire set it the proper frequency then released the energy upon Raven. Her eyes shot open wide as both she and Arameth fought for ownership of her body. "Raven you must help me, you have to fight him. Let him know it is your body. And he cannot have it!" Raven gritted her teeth form the pain. "Cast him out!" Raven cried out then a dark vapor poured out of her and disappeared into ventilation duct. Raven then passed out from the exertion. Starfire threw away the device and helped Beast Boy stand her up.
"Beast Boy get Raven back to coordinates, signal Blackfire."
"What about you two."
"We have to find a way to help Titans East." Beast Boy's face house growing confusion. "And a lot other of our old friends, just go we'll catch up with you." Beast Boy reluctantly carried Raven off. Starfire followed Robin out of Arameth's room and down the long hallway.
"Robin?"
"What is it Star?"
"When we find our friends, how do you plan to free them from Anubis' control?" Robin opened his mouth to answer but stopped short when he realized he had no idea. "Then after how are we to escape if captured?"
"Okay I haven't quite figured all that out yet." He ducked back allowing their pursers to pass by. "But when I do it's gonna be really impressive." He zipped around the corner and Starfire did her best to keep up with him.
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Myand'r paced back and forth in the cell they had placed him after a grueling and horrendous questioning. He walked about wondering if Starfire was okay and unbeknownst to him a black vapor leaked out of the air duct behind him.
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Robin paused outside two larger doors and waited for Starfire to settle next to him.
"I think I saw them go in here. We'll take em' by surprise and hopefully be able to beam back on T-Ship in record time." Starfire nodded in readiness then Robin kicked open the door. Anubis shot a psychic blast at him and Robin hit the wall then slid to the floor. Starfire stood stock still with her stunner raised in Robin's defense. Anubis waved his hand and the stunner was pulled out of Starfire's grasp. She stood before him still.
"Come no further! I will not let you harm Robin."
"You can do nothing but utter empty threats. I have made certain of that." Starfire glared at him. "Stay, and both yourself and your child will be taken care of." Starfire's mouth fell and she covered her stomach.
"You cannot have our child! He is not yours to take!"
"That matters not to me. The Triangle, though your only way out, will soon be mine and this universe will follow with it." Anubis stretched out his hand and Robin suddenly jumped up and cast a bird-a-rang. It struck Anubis in the hand forcing the Psion to recoil. He let out what seemed to be growl as Robin moved Starfire behind him. "Do you not know death when you see it little boy."
"In one ear and out the other," back talked Robin.
"No more, you will all die together-" Anubis barely finished his sentence when Robin and Starfire were sounded in light then whisked away. Anubis merely looked at the empty space they used to occupy then produced a loud and furious cry. A man stepped inside the room quivering.
"M-My Lord?"
"Launch a squadron of attackers, destroy them!"
"They are powerful my Lord, will a single squadron be enough."
"Even if it is not, I will ensure they meet their end along with every living thing in this system."
IN THE T-SHIP………………….
Both Robin and Starfire finally opened their eyes and found themselves in Robin's pod in the T-Ship. They glanced about and found Beast Boy and Raven occupying his.
"Titans East didn't go so well, huh?" Robin shook his head and moved about so Starfire could get more comfortable.
"Take us back to sensor; we need to get Cyborg and Taka."
On that very sensor array Taka sat in a chair before the many screens and monitors. Cyborg walked up behind her.
"I've got the communications on alert; if Rob flags us down we'll be ready."
"Good," answered Taka. Cyborg hesitated then drummed up his courage again. He sat down in a chair beside her and cleared his throat.
"Listen, Taka, I wanted to tell you-" He was interrupted by a high pitched beeping. Thinking it was just typical he paused and allowed Taka to check what the sensor had detected.
"Oh God," she whispered.
"What?" asked Cyborg scooting closer. "Attackers?"
"They're least of our concerns; Anubis fired his super weapon into sun." Cyborg joined her in a horrified look. "It will soon destroy everything in this solar system. Anubis just made beeline hyperspace window." They were traumatized into silence until Robin's voice broke it.
"Cyborg, this Robin." Cyborg tapped his arm and Robin's face appeared.
"We're on our way, stand by for transport."
"That's a roger," responded Cyborg. "Come on." He and Taka left their stations and stood waiting to be beamed aboard. In the T-Ship Robin piloted their small vessel toward the sensor and tiled his had back at Blackfire.
"Ready with those transporters?"
"Yes."
"Alright do it." Just as Blackfire did they were hit but laser fire and found a dozen attackers on their tale. Blackfire looked back at her screen and saw a gauge indicate a large power drain. On board the sensor the light beamed away Cyborg but left Taka where she stood. As soon as Cyborg disappeared she cast frantic looks about and dashed to nearest window. She looked out and saw the Robin performing a number of maneuvers trying to avoid them.
"Where's Taka!" shouted Cyborg as he slipped on his head set. "Blackfire…"
"When we were hit it took a chunk out of our power cells, we only have enough power to either beam one more onboard or jump into hyperspace." Robin ducked his head dread, for he had also detected the large shockwave coming their way.
"We need to go back for her," said Cyborg. They suddenly saw a good number of the attackers explode and saw that the laser fire had come from the sensor's only cannon. 'Nice shoot'n Tex,' thought Beast Boy.
"You all need to leave now," said Taka's voice over the comm.
"Like hell we are, we're coming back for you." Inside the little station Taka sighed.
"There's no time, in just a few minuets this entire system is going to be turned into dust. Robin you need to get everyone out of there while you still have time."
"Robin's not gonna do that, he gonna turn the ship around and we're gonna go back for you," persisted Cyborg. Starfire glanced from Cyborg to Robin and noted the sweat coming off his head. The decision he always prayed he'd never have to make was coming. Back inside the station Taka walked about.
"I wish there was more time and power, but there isn't." She stopped as if wanting the air around her to listen. "I'm sorry."
"As am I," said a voice behind her. She turned and Myand'r smacked her across the face. Taka slid across the floor and rubbed her face. "I liked my new host! How dare you people come and take her away from me!"
"Arameth?"
"The very same."
"You have doomed yourself; this station will soon be destroyed." Arameth grin in a largely smug way.
"I don't think so; an escape pod will fit a single passenger quite comfortably." Taka yelled out, jumped to her feet and round house kicked him. He cork screwed in the air but landed on his feet. "Insolence!" Taka pulled out a sai and twirled it about. She then swung and slashed at him in all directions. He caught her arm and head butted her. He then tore the sai from her hand and jabbed it into her. She squeaked as her breath caught. He threw her away and she tumbled against the way. Taka coughed and gagged as blood seeped out of her mouth. "A pitiful species. Anubis will slaves of you all, or your race will see its end." He turned to leave her but Taka shaking pulled out four kunai. She then quickly threw one and it stuck in the back of his neck. He stopped dead and twitched. She wasted no more time and pitched the rest of them in the same fashion. Arameth breathing in deeply trying to pull them out but couldn't. Soon both host and symbiote fell to floor lifeless. Taka shook as she felt the life in her own body leaving her. She pulled her Titans comm. link out and found the send button.
"C-Cyborg?" On the T-Ship Cyborg responded.
"Taka we're almost there." She sniffled and shook her head.
"No, you c-can't linger here any longer. There's no point." Cyborg looked completely dumbfounded.
"What do you mean there's no point, we're going to save you." As Cyborg spoke Robin saw a text message appear on his screen. 'Robin, leave now. I won't last much longer.' Robin closed his eyes miserably and his hand shook over an override command. He could take the controls from Blackfire and send the ship into hyperspace. Taka's eyes now drooped and her breathing began to slow.
"Please leave, y-you can't sacrifice yourselves for me."
"We're all going home Taka," reassured Cyborg. She let a tear escape and she smiled lightly.
"I-I-I love you Cyborg. Don't stop, don't ever stop." Cyborg watched the station with growing anxiety.
"Don't talk like that; we're coming to get you right now. Right Rob?" Robin didn't answer. Cyborg looked back at him. "Right Robin," he asked again in a scared voice. He then noticed the T-Ship coming to a halt. "What are you doing Rob?"
"Only way," he heard Taka. "This is the only way. You have only seconds before the shockwave reaches us. If you don't leave now, you'll all die."
"Taka…." She took in a hard breath.
"I am….afraid." She let out a tired breath and her arm fell. The comm. link rolled out of her hand and bounced on the floor beside her. Cyborg felt it in his heart and at the same time took notice that the station was getting father and father away. He swiftly looked over at Robin's pod.
"TURN AROUND! TURN IT AROUND!" Close to breaking down himself Robin punched the override and the T-Ship entered hyperspace. Taka's eyes slowly closed and she looked serene. The shockwave approached and in the next instant the station along with the entire solar system was torn to shreds.
MANY HOURS LATER…………
The Titans all filed into the common room, deathly silent. None could nor wanted to speak. Cyborg pushed past Robin without saying a word and headed straight to his room. Starfire quietly told Robin of her growing nausea and need for food. He told her he'd take care of it and to wait for him in their room. Beast Boy soon followed with the same instruction from Raven and she stood looking out the large window. She put her hand up to the glass and bowed her head.
"Rest in peace my friend. I hope wherever you are…your happy."
Alright everyone who's crushed by this and wants to stop reading please bear with me. You have my honorary word it only gets better from here. And besides, who's to say Taka's part in this story is over. Please keep reading and reviewing.
This chapter is dedicated to a friend of mine who is in Iraq at this moment. Our prayers go out to him for his safe return home.