Noise, the constant, overwhelming scream of the engines made it impossible to think about any of her attempts to save them. She tried shouting something, anything to warn them about the danger they no doubt were already aware of as the very air burned her skin. She reached out for something, or maybe someone who wasnt there to save her until finally, blessed silence washed over her as a warm darkness enveloped her in a comforting embrace, bringing peace at last.

Pain ceased. Time became irrelevant. The planets continued to rotate along their orbital paths, seemingly oblivious or perhaps just uncaring about the suffering and hardships of their inhabitants as they fought their daily struggles. Many events unfolded throughout the galaxy, all of which she bore witness to. She was beyond it now, but also still a part of it. Entwined with this solar system, yet free. Along with a countless multitude of beings similar to herself, she watched heroes rise and fall. Stories begin and end. Tragic deaths taking place along side miraculous life. All of this and more she experienced, seemingly forever with peaceful emotionless observance. She knew everything, yet nothing at all. Did it matter? Yes and no. But like all the others before and after her, she was ready to watch forever. Until the end of time.

But it was not to be, as she was whisked away from it all without warning

"Eyes up Guardian"

Alina gasped for breath, her lungs were on fire for a split second before air returned to them. She rolled over and went into a coughing fit as she fought to her hands and knees. Someone was there, talking to her but she couldnt make out the words. She opened her eyes but still only saw darkness.

"I *cough cough* cant see!" She managed between gasps.

More talking, she was able to catch "hold tight" at the end. A few moments later a bright light shown on her, a floating orb? She shielded her eyes to look at her surroundings better, her vision was still fuzzy but she was able to make out pipes, rust, electrical panels, and wiring sticking out haphazardly from every angle.

"Take it easy Guardian. From what I understand the first time is always the worst."

Alina pulled herself onto a pipe which was at an angle, awkwardly sitting up while she gained her composure. As she looked around, she realized the whole room was at an angle.

"Where am I?" She asked. Seeing that no one else was there she added a little louder "Where are you?" And jumped as the orb replied a little bemusingly;

"I'm right here. Dont be rude."

She hesitated, but slowly stood up to inspect the orb which wasnt exactly an orb she now saw, a little closer. A small floating sphere from which a diamond shaped light spilled forth revealed the silhouette of several fins orbiting its center. Curious.

"As for your first question, you are in old Lake Ontario in the Northern American Zone, or 'NAZ' as its referred to now. I'm lucky that this lake is dry, otherwise I dont think I would have ever found you!" The thought seemed to make him anxious as he bobbed side to side and twirled the fins around his eye. "We can talk more, but I want to get you outside, this is a dreary place for a first meeting. Follow me!"

And he lead her along. She took in as much as possible, occasionally coughing as she climbed over pipes and furniture. It just hit her that she couldnt remember how she got here, wherever "here" was, nor could she remember anything.

"I tried to give power to the lights before bringing you back, but the water damage was catastrophic throughout the entire ship, would've taken me days and frankly I couldnt wait that long. I did manage to wait long enough to give you a decent view."

He lead her to an opening, a hatch that lead to the hull. Grasping the frame she pulled herself out and was greeted with a cool breeze, fresh air, and the most beautiful sunrise she had ever seen. This "ship" or whatever was left of it was sitting on a small plateau overlooking bare earth for as far as the eye could see, with only small tuffs of grass dotting the landscape.

They stayed there in silence for a few minutes. She watched the sunrise; the brilliant light skipping off the rocks. He watched her; the sunshine seemingly dancing across her Awoken skin. Eventually she looked down at herself. She was wearing makeshift boots, gloves with rubber grips, and some sort of duster? All seemed to be as cobbled together as the cloth and tin band on her arm.

"I have questions."

A handgun materialized out of thin air in front of her and she caught it, astonishment appearing on her face.

"I know."