Disclaimer: I only own the planet some of the crew members and the Blackhawks. Other than that I own nothing!
Notes: There are some strange things that will happen in the next three chapters that involve Pylea. Please let me know of suggestions or new ideas if you decide to read. (I put in the song lyrics because they are supposed to show what the characters are feeling...)
Dedication: To anyone who ever lost someone they cared about or truly loved... My heart goes out to you all and I wish you well. May god bless you in everything you do and the angels watch over you always. This chapter is for you...
"Kitty" Year-Round
Part XI: Easier to Run
By Mia LeighArc
Amelia picked up the letter and read it out loud to her husband for the hundredth time since it had arrived. Trying to hide the hand written note that came with it...She put on her normal captain's facade that she had come to know.
"It says I need to make an emergency rescue mission to Pylea within 3 weeks... I can't believe they want me to go back there..."
Delbert held a hand to her mouth and smiled weakly as he spoke."I'll come with you this time." Delbert said softly.
Amelia shot him a quizzical look.
"No... It's much too dangerous. Plus, knowing you, you would want to hire the crew for me...and I'm not about to let that happen again" Delbert blushed slightly as he replied with a suave smile.
"But I thought danger was my middle name." Amelia laughed at the sentiment and then spoke again.
"No...I can't allow it, I just can't."
"Danger is a predator that stalks us all our lives" Amelia thought to herself. Arrow used to always say that when he was alive, but Amelia had no control over what happened that day; and maybe that was why she felt so gloomy. She had lost the people she had loved the most...Arrow, and her mother. Amelia was determined not to add the charming Dr. Delbert Doppler to that list.
Amelia remembered Pylea; it was so luscious and green. Pylea was the perfect example of a natural forest or tropical jungle. It contained miles of water: lakes, rivers and waterfalls of all sizes. Among the soothing sounds of rushing water and constant rainfalls, Pylea was known for its native beast-The West Navorkian Raven. Such a graceful bird with its bitch black feathers and razor sharp beak, this innocent bird you see is a sign of oncoming danger to the indigenous Pylean villagers. The bird was named after the Raven goddess Navorka, whom would alert the villagers of oncoming dangers. When trespassers come toward one of the caverns, the squawk of the raven is especially helpful in the escape of the Pylean villagers. These villagers used the underwater caverns for ritual sacrifices and ceremonies, but no one was supposed to know that people still lived there...Plus the various creatures on the strange planet took care of most visitors.
Amelia knew she ought to feel safe in such a calm environment, but her instincts told her otherwise. She always felt like there was a shadow looming in the darkness, like someone was watching her...no matter how secluded the planet was. She never thought she would ever be sent back after that nasty spat she had with the remainder of the Procyon Armada while she was still dating Delbert...
"Those pirates must be on the loose again." Amelia thought with a sneer and a low growl upon her thin lips. When Delbert had turned his back, Amelia looked again at the note she was hiding...it said clearly:
I can't wait to see you there.
Your Secret Admirer
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Amelia couldn't think why anyone would send a note like that in an academy letter...but if it was who she thought it was, they were in for a world of trouble.
Aeneas sat in his "office", thinking more about how he could catch up with Amelia now that she got the letter he had an old buddy from the Academy send to one of his prized students. Aeneas smiled to himself whilst he smoked a cigarette, knowing all too well that he could catch up with her in a few days time. All he had to do was wait, and she would finally be his-and for good this time. He just knew this was it, we was finally going to get what he wanted and get rid of that Dr. Doppler. Aeneas had a plan and it was going to be great. A few months back he had received a communicator call from Long John himself!
Silver had made a deal with him that day; He would give him Arrow (whom was still alive—for now) to do with what he wished, and in return, Silver would give him the location of where to find the "Dopplers' " as it were. Aeneas's challenge now was to follow "his" Amelia and find a way to get that damn Dr. Doppler out of the way. But there was also that favor he owed "The Dragon Master" a wild, powerful and dangerous ally who had gone to Pylea once on one of his fancy, frivolous excursions. He eventually found himself caught in a sacrificial ritual by the Pylean dragon god, Micealy. He saw the power Micealy had during the ritual and pleaded for his life by selling his soul to Micealy. After several months of council from Micealy, "The Dragon Master" as he was deemed was finally ready to go back out into the real world—Aeneas had owed him a big favor, and this was it…soon he would have his revenge.
Thinking about his next course of action, Aeneas sat at his desk...contemplating how far Amelia had gotten so far, he figured she had gotten past the Laguna Coeiya, but she was fast approaching the Timea Contummia nebula every day. Aeneas leaned back in his chair think that would be the best place to strike. He took his knife out of it's sheath twirled it back and forth, then he pounded it into the best place…right after the Timea Contummia nebula. He smiled sly thinking about what it would be like to finally have her to himself...With a chuckle; he spoke just barely above a whisper.
"Oh I have you now, Amelia...you'll see."
The Mission to Pylea had begun a wild success and everything was going extremely well. The crew was honest, Amelia had a trusted first mate, the ship was looking splendid and Delbert had managed to keep his bumbling and amusing slip ups to a bare minimum. One morning, Amelia woke up late…a VERY rare occurrence, but alas possible.
~Marriage is not a house or even a tent~
Delbert awoke to the birds singing the praises of yet another glorious morning. He turned over to find that a heavenly creature was nestled up next to his tired aching form in hopes of being held. He extended his hands upon her and chuckled when the action was returned with a soft purr.
~The unpainted stars~
He looked towards the window. He remembered that the window in his bedroom was open their first night together. He remembered the view of the stars from where he lay that night.
~The edge of the forest or the edge of a desert ~
Delbert smiled remembering the voyage to Treasure Planet. It was the most adventure he had even had, that is until Amelia came along a swooped his right off of his feet.
~The edge of the receding glacier~
He saw the planet explode into a million pieces. They were all going to die, he was sure of this.
~Where painfully and with wonder at surviving this far~
Delbert lay back against the pillows as he remembered that loving embrace that the two of them shared at the spaceport. He would've never thought that she would marry him, and now here they were.
~We are learning to make a fire within us~ (taken from "Habitation" by Margaret Atwood)
Amelia stirred and sat up. She looked at the clock and with a low growl; she dragged herself out of bed...
"Oh blast it! I'm late!" She hissed as she got dressed and ran out the door of her stateroom towards the deck. Amelia had formed a meeting with her officers (or so to speak, trusted crew members) to map out the Legacy's tread in the direction of Pylea. She walked in expecting to sit down at the head of the table when Mr. Boris, her first officer Saluted her upon her arrival and insisting that everyone present in the room also do so.
"Good morning Gentlemen. I am terribly sorry for my delay. I'm afraid I lost track of the hour."
"There's no need Captain, I trust you slept well." was Boris's quick reply. Amelia glared at him through tired eyes as cold as ice. What she said next was not out of the ordinary when such a person mouthed off during an early morning meeting.
"Excuse me Mr. Boris? Was that an insult you just gave me or shall I assume you meant to hold your tongue in my presence?" Mr. Boris looked as if he just had his heart handed to him in a picnic basket he was so frightened. He made sure his reply was quick, to the point and not offensive to the Captain.
"I meant nothing by ma'am, just an observation…Please forgive me ma'am!" Mr. Boris was quick and careful to say.
"Very well then; In the future Mr. Boris, please don't give me any reason to confine you to the brig for the remainder of this voyage...I don't like having my patience tested by someone of trust, Understood?" Mr. Boris quivered slightly in his chair.
"Ye-ye-yes ma'am." With a slight wink Amelia sat down comfortably and cleared her throat.
Upon her desk sat the plans for the remainder of the voyage. Taking a quick glance at them, she addressed all the men at once.
"Gentlemen, I understand we are to sail through a little known Cadre Nebula in two days time. What do you know of this place? Understand if there are dangers we must prepare for, I want my men to be ready for anything...even death." The men looked at her with fear and stated plainly that there is no treat within that region and they should arrive within perfect timing. Oh how Amelia hoped they were right, but they said it was safe and safe it shall be. After their meeting, Amelia dismissed the other men and sent them back to their duties. Before Mr. Boris could get out the door, Amelia stopped him. Completely calm she spoke in a venomous sort of way.
"Mr. Boris? Would you be so kind as to tell me what that was back there?"
"Umm, I - I...nothing personal ma'am, I just noticed that you looked rather exhausted and flustered like my wife tended to look when she wakes up in the morning." Mr. Boris stated smiling widely, then
"Well, Mr. Boris, I shall warn you about treating me as such and insulting me in front of our colleges." Amelia said getting dangerously close to Mr. Boris...She wanted to look him straight in the eye to tell if he was telling her the truth.
"Of, course ma'am, shall never happen again...I was merely addressing you as a close friend would...ma'am."
"I see, well don't allow it to happen again...if we are to become friends, we shall discuss things of this nature in private rather than at a morning meeting, is that understood Mr. Boris?" Amelia suddenly shouting. Mr. Boris crouched down like a lost dog and said the first thing that came to mind. She felt guilty, knowing she shouldn't be so hard on him, but she knew in her heart that Arrow would never have pulled a stunt like that.
"Aye, captain!" Amelia hear him say as she smiled in satisfaction before sending him back to his duties on deck.
Later that night, Amelia walked the deck thinking about her past endeavors with Arrow. Realizing that a lot of things have changed since then, she fought her desire to be back at the Interstellar Academy again. She knew if she was, Arrow would still be alive and she wouldn't have to morn his death. She missed the long leisurely walks between classes and during breaks, and the ocean of colors in the fall. She missed everything. She gazed out into the open etherium that had taken her best friend from her and decided to head back to her stateroom. Delbert saw this and went over to see if she was alright
"Captain?" Amelia did not respond right away, but turned back towards him, her eyes stinging with tears that she didn't want to show and spoke softly to him
"I just want to be alone dear. Please, Doctor." Amelia walked slowly up the stairs toward her stateroom with the whisper of music playing softly in the etherium breeze as if playing directly on the ship.
It's easier to run
Replacing this pain with something numb
It's so much easier to go
Than face all this pain here all alone
Delbert was leaning against the railing of the ship, pretending to observe the velvety abyss that lay before him. He was more focused on his wife, and seemingly found his wedding band very fascinating. He was looking at it on his finger wondering why it was still there, why Amelia was still with him. Every time someone passed, his thoughts would always inevitably fall back on Amelia. In the far distance he saw Amelia the night the he proposed to Amelia and suddenly the nervousness, the velvety box he was holding and the words were coming back to him, he was proposing all over again. Amelia sat in front of him and all he could do was knock over her water, scaring her and kneeling in front of her nervously.
"Amelia..."He began slowly. His face was flushed of all possible color. A few crew members glanced his way to see he was kneeling before nothing...
"Crazy bloke! There's no one there." The lookout said as he watched Delbert from the crow's nest.
Delbert smiled, ready to do this. He touched Amelia's cheek as he continued.
"All my life, I never knew that I could be so lucky; to find an adventure and to find someone's name written in the stars, right next to mine...I didn't know exactly how it happened, but by the time it was all over...you had captured my heart." leaving her ample time to respond, Delbert finally said the words he had so longed to say to his love.
"Will you marry me?" Delbert pleaded with his big brown eyes. As Amelia answered him, he held her close.
Soon other crew members also began to "act funny" and say or do some strange things. One man was standing on starboard cradling something small wrapped in a blanket and a few other guys next to him began to beat on each other, slurring bar songs wildly. Some men kneeled on the deck before a pile of "gold" and began to try to scoop up as much treasure as they could. Others ran around the deck screaming the name of lost crew-members who had died on past missions and falling helplessly to the deck in defeat. Mr. Boris had a smile on his face as he returned from a past voyage and finally saw his family again. Mr. Cornelius remembered his mother being murdered and what happened when the police never found the killer, and Mr. Quinn remembered running around with his wolf pack back home and going hunting which is why he still to this day loves getting lost in the woods.
Something has been taken from deep inside of me
This secret I've kept locked away no one can ever see
Wounds so deep they never show they never go away
Like moving pictures in my head for years and years they've played
Amelia sat at the mahogany desk in her stateroom pounding her nails on the hard wood. She was thinking about her dear friend Arrow and how much she wished he could be there now. She opened her top drawer and pulled out an aged picture and stared at it for a lifetime of memories.
(If I could change I would) (Take back the pain I would)
(Retrace every wrong move that I made I would)
(If I could stand up and take the blame I would)
(If I could take all the shame to the grave I would)
(If I could change I would take back the pain I would)
(Retrace every wrong move that I made I would)
(If I could stand up and take the blame I would)
(I would take all my shame to the grave)
Amelia drank in the photograph of her and Arrow the day of her Graduation. That was one of the happiest days of her life. A day she remembered with both pride and misery.
It's easier to run
Replacing this pain with something numb
It's so much easier to go
Than face all this pain here all alone
As she looked at the picture, she seemed happy for but a moment. She examined the curves of Arrow's face, with all its stony cracks and bumps, knowing she would never see him again. Suddenly the picture was engulfed in flames. She allowed the tears to fall as she stared into the void and realized that Arrow was gone for good and all her memories of him with it. She threw the photo down feeling it warm up under her fingers.
Sometimes I remember the darkness of my past
Bringing back these memories I wish I didn't have
Sometimes I think of letting go and never looking back
And never moving forward so there'd never be a past
She looked at the picture and remembered her childhood. She remembered her parents would fight every so often. She remembered one instance that had led to her mother crying on the floor and her father gone for a week or so. She remembered the two of them fighting from the crack in her bedroom door; they looked so defiant, so hateful of each other. She didn't want to become like that in her own marriage.
(If I could change I would)
(Take back the pain I would)
(Retrace every wrong move that I made I would)
(If I could stand up and take the blame I would)
(If I could take all the shame to the grave I would)
She sneered with a low growl and threw everything on her desk flying with an angry sweep of her hands. Breaking her dark thoughts, Amelia listened closely to everything around her...she could've sworn she had heard something a minute ago. Just then, she heard a scream. Even though she didn't know that the Legacy had sailed into a strange nebula called Timea Contummia that emits a trance-inducing gas. Each person affected by it could relive a moment of great emotional trauma or joy, or see their deepest hope played out before them. Amelia recognized that scream. Arrow was being thrown into the hands of the etherium once more.
(If I could change I would) (Take back the pain I would)
(Retrace every wrong move that I made I would)
(If I could stand up and take the blame I would)
(I would take all my shame to the grave)
Amelia ran as hard as she could from her stateroom to the right side of the deck, feeling her boots pounding against the wooden deck underfoot. She had heard the man's call clearly; His scream had sounded so familiar. She took hold of the lifeline after tossing aside a few crew members and summoned up all her strength to rescue this poor soul.
Just washing it aside
All of the helplessness inside
Pretending I don't feel misplaced
Is so much simpler than change
The red ether was swirling around the crew's heads as their strong, proud captain showed her true colors. Her fiery red hair flowed effortlessly in the evening sky. She had a look of anger, of pain, of all the misery she's felt since Arrow's death. But now, now she was determined. Feeling the rope slicing against her delicate skin, Amelia pulled as hard as she could. Her eyes were morbid and tear-filled as if she had been crying and was back to her immovable self. She would not let herself go soft. With every new spout of some unknown strength, Amelia shed a new tear for everyday she was forced to live without Arrow by her side. The crew looked to their captain strangely, thoughts that she was going crazy were the most popular ones seeing their no-nonsense leader openly weeping and hauling in a lifeline that wasn't there before.
It's easier to run
Replacing this pain with something numb
It's so much easier to go
Than face all this pain here all alone
Seeing as she was mentally and possibly in some cases physically stronger than everyone on the crew, she could easily secure the lifeline and save a person's life, and she had, Arrow's life to be exact. Being as petite as she was, this woman 130 pounds and 5'8" tall had so much determination that it saved Arrow's life. She finally had atonement for her grief and guilt of leaving the responsibility to a young cabin boy. Amelia stood silent for a moment and didn't say a word; she was too perplexed that her old friend was actually standing in the flesh before her. Arrow went to say something, but Amelia reached up and gave him a bug hug in front of the whole crew. The etherium had taken him from her before, but now it was that same etherium that brought him back to her. She finally had her Arrow back, or so she thought.
It's easier to run
(If I could change I would) (Take back the pain I would)
(Retrace every wrong move that I made)
It's easier to go
(If I could change I would)
(Take back the pain I would)
(Retrace every wrong move that I made I would)
(If I could stand up and take the blame I would)
(I would take all my shame to the grave)
Amelia let go of Arrow and the whole crew was staring at her. Amelia just stared at the Arrow before her and soon realized this couldn't possibly be real. But it was, Arrow was standing in front of her in flesh and blood. And just as soon as she turned her back, Arrow was gone. The ship started to shake as everyone seemed to be released from their trance and work quickly to steer the ship on its proper course. She then ran back to the helm and took the helm as the helmsman wash thrown off. She used all her strength and steered the entire crew to safety from the star-storm that had been forming on port side of the ship. She had to steer them through the black hole once more. A large schooner came slowly up behind them as they were finally steered away from the storm. Angry looking men started to climb up on the ship slowly with plasma pistols in their belts as well as swords...some had an extra weapon clenched in their teeth. The same angry band that had been playing before continues as if once again, they are sitting on deck playing music.
Aeneas Scott, leader of the Blackhawk pirate clan landed on the deck with a low thud. He looked in Amelia's direction and smiled deviously. He knew exactly what to do, and about 15 seconds later as if on cue, the entire crew and the Blackhawks started battle.
I am a little bit of loneliness a little bit of disregard
Handful of complaints but I can't help the fact that everybody can see these scars
I am what I want you to want what I want you to feel
But it's like no matter what I do, I can't convince you, to just believe this is real
So I let go, watching you, turn your back like you always do
Face away and pretend that I'm not
But I'll be here cause you want what I've got
There were plasma bullets flying in all directions. Aggression and anger led the two groups of men and scattered crew-members of either side into a fight to the death.
(I can't feel the way I did before)
(Don't turn your back on me)
(I won't be ignored)
(Time won't heal this damage anymore)
(Don't turn your back on me)
(I won't be ignored)
Swords clanged and pistols fired with ease. The nighttime sky was filled with little points of light like fireworks on the fourth of July.
I am a little bit insecure a little unconfident
Cause you don't understand I do what I can but sometimes I don't make sense
I say what you never wanna say but I've never had a doubt
It's like no matter what I do I can't convince you for once just to hear me out
So I let go watching you turn your back like you always do
Face away and pretend that I'm not
But I'll be here 'cause you're all that I've got
Aeneas focused his sly expression upon Amelia, whom was also fighting off one of the pirates. He fought his way closer in that direction.
(I can't feel the way I did before)
(Don't turn your back on me)
(I won't be ignored)
(Time won't heal this damage anymore)
(Don't turn your back on me)
(I won't be ignored)
He edged even closer to her and suddenly was hit upside the head by Stripe Cornelius, the ship's strong and capable cabin boy. Aeneas hit the ground for a few moments and Stripe had a look of achievement on his face. Aeneas got up, but Stripe had him in an arm lock...and Stripe was causing a bit of pain. However, Aeneas grabbed the cabin boy by the neck and yanked on his neck as if trying to drain the life from him...Aeneas's eyes filled with a morbid rage, thus far preparing to come from a different approach. Then having Stripe in a bind, hit him in the abdomen with the end of his sword. When the cabin boy hit the deck, Aeneas kicked him-causing more pain.
(Now)
(Hear me out now)
(You're gonna listen to me, like it or not)
(Right now)
(Hear me out now)
(You're gonna listen to me, like it or not)
(Right now)
Aeneas finally escaped Stripe and came at Amelia. He took out his plasma pistols and held it to her head in a threatening tone. She struggled and elbowed him in the gut enough times to give him a hernia, but he wouldn't let go. Aeneas clamped his hands onto Amelia's shoulders and turned her to face him. She glared defiantly at him, and then spit in his face. In response, Aeneas slapped Amelia and then wound his hands tightly around her waist. He forced his lips upon hers in a brazen mockery of a kiss.
(I can't feel the way I did before)
(Don't turn your back on me)
(I won't be ignored)
He felt a tap on his shoulder, and that's when he turned around to be struck hard by the doctor's clenched fist of fury.
I can't feel the way I did before
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored
Time won't heal this damage anymore
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored
As Aeneas finally stood, Quinn came at him, throwing him against the side of the ship and Aeneas was thrown off balance and fell off the side of the Legacy.
I can't feel
I won't be ignored
Time won't heal
Don't turn your back on me
I won't be ignored
And just like that Aeneas fell overboard and managed to keep a grip on the railing, therefore he was hanging from the side of the ship.
Coming Very Soon: Part two of this special feature. What happens next? Tune in next time and R&R or YOU'RE A MONKEY!