Stinger's comm chimed.

"What's up?"

"How far are you guys from my planet?" Hammy's voice sounded worried.

Stinger looked at his starmap. "Hour, less if we hit warp. Why?"

"A large Jark ship just appeared in orbit."

Stinger hissed something in Scorpius, then gave her an encouraging smile. "We're on our way."

"See you soon," Hammy clicked off the connection and headed to get ready for battle.

Stinger headed for the bridge. "Hit warp to Hammy now."

Tet frowned, but nodded, pressing the button.

Stinger sighed, dropping into his seat and staring into space.

Andy was in the library, sucked into a book. She glanced up and looked out at the stars. Her eyes narrowed when she began recognizing the stars around them.

The Orion rocked violently as a morimarz began firing as well as smaller fighters. The ship began evasive maneuvers before being hit in the engines. It started spiraling as the fighters concentrated on the bridge, explosions appearing as the shots hit.

Andy stood but soon was knocked to the floor. She struggled to get to the bridge, the spiraling making it difficult. She braced herself against a wall and waited for things to calm down.

Finally, the ship straightened, though she could hear the strain on the thrusters.

Andy made it to the bridge, opening the door and looking around in worry.

Tet and Kiba were still on their feet, Champ and Stinger unconscious on the floor.

Andy went to Stinger's side, checking him over and quickly healing any damage she found.

"Go...save Hammy." His voice was faint, his eyes closed.

Andy nodded and kissed his cheek before heading to the bay. She took off toward her planet, landing near the Jark Matter ship. She began fighting off the indavers before finally calling Hammy to get her location.

Andy made her way to her sister, giving a quick greeting before continuing to take out indavers. A malistrate soon appeared, attacking Hammy. Andy tried to get to her but was surrounded by a bunch of troops. Working on getting closer, she took a few hits as she dealt out even more. She froze when she saw Hammy fall to the ground unmorphed. She began moving again, this time more erratic, just trying to get to Hammy. She was knocked to the ground and when she looked back up, the malistrate dealt another hard attack to Hammy.

The chameleon ranger was deadly still as Andy forced her way over. She fell to her knees, ignoring the malistrate. She was pulled from her sadness when she was attacked. Her armor fell away but she ignored her injuries and grabbed out a kunai to go back to attacking.

"She was weak, just like you are," the malistrate laughed.

Andy's eyes blazed for a moment before they suddenly started glowing. Within seconds, all of the Jark Matter troops and the malistrate were dropping dead to the ground. Andy turned back to Hammy, pushing a massive amount of energy back into her.

The chameleon ranger soon sucked in air but Andy continued to push in energy, trying to heal up the injuries.

On the ship, Tet and Kiba exchanged frightened looks as they read the energy spikes. They didn't have long to think about the ramifications as they soon were struggling to stay airborne as the thrusters finally gave out. They stayed at their consoles as the Orion hit the upper atmosphere with no shields. The temperature grew overwhelmingly hot and they finally collapsed as the Orion came streaking over Andy's location, heading for a large spot of trees.

Andy looked up in surprise for a moment, eyes still glowing. She looked back down at Hammy, tears in her eyes as she realized there was too much damage for her to heal. Everything she could heal was fixed but it was unlikely Hammy would ever walk again.

Andy got another medic to take her sister to the hospital before heading to where the Orion was. She climbed on board, looking around for the others. She found them on the bridge, kneeling beside them and pushing in massive amounts of energy, healing them up quickly.

"Hammy...have to destroy Jark Matter.." Stinger whispered.

"All Jark on the planet have been taken out," Andy reported before turning to leave.

"Where..are you going?" His voice got louder, his eyes becoming alarmed.

She shook her head, "Hammy's at the hospital if you want to see her."

He pushed himself up unsteadily, reaching for her arm. "Don't go.."

She looked back at him slowly, tears in her eyes.

He slowly made his way fully over, his face concerned. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

She shrugged, "I'll be fine."

"Then why are you trying to leave?"

She looked down, "Hammy..." she shook her head and let out a sob.

He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

Inside, his heart clenched in sorrow. Another life lost because he wasn't fast enough, strong enough. And he'd made Andy cry again. He really was a failure.

"I.. I wasn't good enough. Again." She whispered. "I revived her, but she probably won't be able to walk again because I failed to protect her." She let out another sob, "Why do the people I care about keep dying or getting hurt?! Maybe I'm the cursed one.."

He sighed, then moved so he could look at her. "This is war. We can't always fix everything. But she's alive because of you. You haven't lost her. But she'll need help, so you should stay to give it to her."

"I need to take out Jark Matter," she said in response before looking down, "Once I do that, I'll give her all my time. I owe it to her."

"Look at me. Now." His voice took a hard edge to it.

She looked up slowly.

"She needs you right now. We'll destroy Jark Matter. You take care of Hammy. I won't hear any arguments either."

Andy nodded, turning to walk away.

Stinger watched her, his heart breaking as he silently said goodbye.

Andy headed to the hospital, sitting beside her sister and waiting for her to wake.

A couple months later, reports started coming in of large groups of Jark Matter troops just dropping dead.

Tet growled, dropping them to the desk. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. If only Stinger was here, he'd know what to do. Finally, he commed Champ to set course for the last reported occurrence, hoping to find some kind of clue.

Andy sat in her voyager, scanning through her data, trying to find the next location to hit. She called up Hammy to check on her, but her sister insisted she was doing alright and didn't need her help. She sighed and went back to the data. Finally, she found a place and typed in the location before going to fly off.

Tet and Champ nodded as they saw her leave orbit.

"Tractor her ass in. I want answers." Tet scowled as Champ activated the beam.

Andy growled when she realized her voyager had been locked onto. She looked around, noticed the Orion and rolled her eyes.

Tet watched anxiously as Iruka was deposited in the bay.

Andy climbed out, "What? Is there a problem?"

"Are you the reason why Headquarters is giving me a migraine?" Tet glared at her.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Whole planets of Jark Matter dropping dead ring a bell? Or am I wrong and there is another enemy we have to worry about?"

"I'm taking out Jark, so why does it matter?" She answered. "And why are you interrogating me? Where's Stinger?"

"Because I'm tired of Shou singing my backside everytime a report comes in." He didn't answer her third question. "Maybe you should give Headquarters a heads up so I stop being crispy."

"Sounds like your problem to me."

"I'm not the one making everyone think we're going to get attacked when all of Jark is gone."

"Our goal is to take out Jark, I'm just doing my job."

"Look, I'm not arguing with your methods. Just wish you'd have given us notice." He sighed and kicked the floor. "Dammit, I'm not cut out for this job."

"Where is Stinger?" She repeated.

He muttered something inaudible, his eyes locked on the floor.

"How about louder, so I can actually hear you?"

"He's at Headquarters! In the infirmary. Are you happy now?" He scowled.

"You don't have to be so angry," Andy answered quietly before checking her data to see how far her next target was from Headquarters.

"Sorry. I just..Seeing him like he is, I couldn't handle it. So I took over and got us out of there as fast as possible."

Andy nodded, "I'll go check on him at some point, see what I can do to help."

"Doubtful. It was nice to see you aren't dead. I'll tell Shou. You can leave if you want to." He began to head for the door leading into the ship, his shoulders bowed.

"What's doubtful? That I can help?"

"Yeah. It's hopeless. Maybe it's better you being on your own."

"Pretty sure if I can revive someone who's dead, I can at least help a little," she answered. "But we'll see I guess. Glad you aren't dead too." She climbed into her voyager and set the coordinates for Headquarters.

The nurse gave her a sad smile when she asked for Stinger's room number. "You're a new visitor, aren't you?"

"Yes," Andy nodded.

"Let me get the doctor." She paged a Doctor Shiro, who soon appeared. After a quiet conversation with the nurse, he came out. "Can we talk? You can see the Commander afterwards."

She nodded, "Alright."

He gave her a nod, then led her into a small room. "What have you been told about his injuries?"

"Just that it's bad," she answered.

He nodded again, touching his tablet. "Commander Stinger arrived here in a comatose state. His teammates reported he had been injured in a battle against Jark Matter. He was in hypovolemic shock, with massive head trauma amongst other severe injuries. We were able to save his life, but I'm afraid he suffered severe brain damage. So much so that he is on life support and considered to be in a permanent vegetative state."

"May I see his scans?" She asked quietly.

He looked at her for a moment, then handed them over.

She looked through the damage, trying to figure out if it was something she could fix. She gave a small nod before handing the scans back to him.

"Do you still wish to see him?"

Andy nodded.

He ushered her to a room with a closed door as his comm pinged. He excused himself, turning his back. After a whispered conversation, he turned back. "Do you wish to stay as the machines are turned off?"

She took a deep breath but nodded. "May I have a few minutes before you turn them off though?"

He gave her a small nod before opening the door. "I'll wait out here while you say your goodbyes."

Andy nodded then entered the room. She looked at Stinger sadly before her eyes started glowing. She focused a massive amount of energy into him, praying it would be enough to save him.

The machines wailed at the spike, the doctor throwing open the door. "What are you doing?!"

Andy looked at him a moment, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." She continued to push energy into Stinger, the injuries rapidly healing.

The doctor stood dumbstruck as the ECG began rapidly scribbling before settling into a mostly normal pattern.

Andy scanned Stinger over again, making sure everything was how it should be before dropping her hands, the glow fading from her eyes.

The doctor slowly recovered, moving to remove the breathing tube as Stinger began fighting it.

Andy gave a small smile, unsure if she should stay.

The scorpion's eyes cracked open, focusing on her slowly. His mouth moved, but no sound came out.

"Hey, you were injured pretty badly and have been out for quite a while. Let's get you some water, it might help?" She went and grabbed a small cup and took it to him.

His hand trembled as he took it, trying to drink despite the shaking.

Andy gently took his hand and steadied it, helping him get the drink.

He drank greedily, lowering the cup when it was empty. "Sweet..heart.." His voice was slow and halting, his eyes locked on her.

"Everything is okay," she smiled.

"I'm..confused."

"Well, I guess you were hurt fighting Jark and ended up here at Headquarters. I ran into the Orion and Tet told me you were here so I came to help you."

"The Orion.." He nodded, then frowned. "Who's Tet?"

Andy frowned, "Looks like you have some memory issues.." She scanned him over, pushing a bit more energy into him to try to help.

He suddenly narrowed his eyes at her. "You mean my cousin..This is a trick.. Jark Matter captured and is trying to trick me!"

"Yes I mean your cousin. No, this isn't a trick. You and I are both here, at Headquarters."

"My cousin is dead! My brother gutted him when he betrayed us to Jark Matter! Why do you act like he's alive?" Stinger was breathing hard as he yelled.

"He's not dead. He was with you when I first met you." Andy took a deep breath, "You might have some memory issues, you were injured pretty badly. But I can try to get him to come here if it'll help you calm down."

Stinger hissed, holding his head. "Another trick.." His eyes started to close and he listed towards the floor.

Andy caught and gently laid him down before sitting beside him.

The doctor walked out shaking his head in disbelief.

Tet was gulping coffee as a chaser to the painkillers when his comm rang. "Tet here."

"Hey, it's Andy."

"Hey. Should I get ready with a pad to copy all the Jark planets down you've wiped out so Shou doesn't yell at me again?"

"Actually, I was calling about Stinger. I came and healed him. He woke up but has some memory issues.. He knew me but is convinced you are dead and then thought he was stuck in some kind of Jark Matter trick."

"Damn. I'll be there in," He consulted his map. "An hour."

"Alright," she clicked off the comm and went back to watching Stinger sleep.

He began to toss his head, moaning. "Stop it! Aniki! Stop it!"

Andy put a hand on him gently, "Stinger, it's just a nightmare."

He began to cry, still asleep. "I'm sorry, cousin.. I'm sorry.."

Andy shook him a bit, "Stinger, it's okay."

His eyes shot open before moving to her face. "Did you betray me as well? Did Jark Matter offer to heal Hammy? Did I mean that little to you?"

Her eyes filled with tears, "Stinger, I didn't betray you. I love you."

"Why did you leave then?"

"You told me to! You told me to go help Hammy!"

"You left after Hammy got out of the hospital. You didn't come back to me.. You disappeared." He tried to bite back a sob. "All my transmissions were rejected…"

"I didn't get any transmissions." She answered before looking down, "I thought if I could take Jark Matter out faster on my own, then the war would end sooner and you wouldn't have to worry anymore."

He looked at her. "Are you mad at me? Scorpio is always mad at me and I don't know why."

"No, I'm not mad at you."

He nodded slowly, his eyes moving around the room. "A lot nicer than the healer's tent on my planet. Did Jark Matter attack us?"

She frowned for a moment, "Stinger.. how old do you think you are?"

He gave her an incredulous look. "I'm eighteen, silly. I go out on patrol for the first time next week. Though if I'm hurt, they might push it back."

She stared at him quietly for a minute, unsure what to say. "Okay.. And you know who I am?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Sweetheart, right? Can't remember your other name. You're a nurse or something?"

"It's Andy. And yes, I'm a healer."

"I guess I have to say thank you, right? Hope I wasn't too difficult. Is my brother around?"

"No, he's not here right now," she said quietly.

"Oh. Okay. Am I healed enough to go? Or is there a problem?"

"There's a bit of a problem, but I'm sure we'll have it healed up in no time." She answered.

He gave her a sunny smile in response, laying against the pillow as he calmly waited.

Andy held her hands up, scanning his brain for any issues or swelling. She pushed some energy into him, healing a slight bit of swelling before continuing to look for problems she could fix.

Tet appeared in the doorway and cleared his throat.

Stinger's eyes suddenly darkened and he screamed. "This is a trick! You're dead! Aniki killed you!" He recoiled from Andy and dived off the bed, crouching in the corner, his tail poised to strike.

Andy sighed and looked at Tet, "He had been okay for a bit, we kind of fought.. then he age regressed to eighteen. But overall he's convinced you're dead and I don't know the whole story behind that."

Tet took a deep breath and lifted his shirt to reveal horrible scars on his midsection. "I was dead. Clinically dead for three days. A wandering healer arrived after the massacre and somehow revived me. Never saw them, just woke to find food, water and a note telling me to find the Kyurangers. There was a kyutama with it. So I did. I found the Kyurangers and had to wake Stinger after he passed out from shock. Been on the Orion ever since."

Andy nodded and looked back at Stinger.

He'd calmed, his face confused. "Why am I like this?"

"You were injured and had some brain trauma," she answered softly.

"Really?" He stood shakily. "Tet." He tensed at seeing the scars but didn't say anything.

Tet dropped the shirt down and looked at Andy. "Is it safe to check him out of here?"

"We'll keep him on the Orion in the infirmary for a few days to make sure he doesn't have any more episodes."

The half Sasori nodded, disappearing down the hall.

Stinger rubbed a hand over his face. "Should have done a different attack, I'm guessing."

"Yeah, maybe," she answered quietly.

He grimaced. "Sorry you had to come here. I'm sure you had better things to do."

Andy sighed, "You might not remember me saying it, but all I've been doing is taking out Jark Matter for you. You're more important than anything else."

"Pretty sure Hammy should be more important. How is she, by the way?"

"She's getting along fine. She basically forced me to leave and is insistent she's alright. I have a few friends who check up on her to make sure she really is okay."

"Good. Why didn't you accept my transmissions? Are you that mad at me for making you leave?"

"I didn't receive any transmissions. I'd have answered you if I did."

"I kept getting a rejected notice whenever I commed your voyager." He frowned.

"My voyager did take some hits soon after I left home. Maybe I didn't get everything fixed right? I am definitely not an engineer."

"You should let Balance look at it then. Are you alright? You weren't injured?"

"I've healed since then."

He nodded, dropping his eyes. "I'm guessing you aren't coming back."

"I don't know.. Like I said, I've been trying to take out Jark Matter so you don't have to worry.."

"It's fine. You don't have to wait around for me. You can go now. I'll head back with Tet. Be careful, okyuu?" He forced his emotions down and gave her a forced smile.

"Do you not want me to come back?"

He froze, several emotions flashing across his face.

She looked down, waiting for a response.

"It's been impossible for me to sleep since you left." The statement was quiet.

She looked up at him, "I've not been sleeping much either."

"Probably why the attack didn't work and I ended up in here." He sat down on the bed. "I lay down and my arms envelop a pillow instead of you. My tail tries to curl around empty air. I wake up from the snatches of sleep I do get with tears on my cheeks and I don't know why. Raptor took to sedating me after I stung Kiba and he had a bad reaction. I shouldn't have gone on the mission, but I insisted." He snorted derisively. "Who the hell am I kidding? I wasn't looking to come back."

Andy sighed and moved to him, wrapping her arms around him quietly.

He clung to her, inhaling the familiar scent of her soap. "I thought you hated me.."

"Why would I hate you?"

"I forced you to leave. I thought you were rejecting my transmissions. I thought that you had decided I was too much trouble.."

"No matter what happens, I will never hate you. I love you, even if we are apart."

"My own brother hated me. Why would you be any different?"

"I just am," she answered quietly.

Tet poked his head in. "Free to go. Is he freaking out again?"

Andy shook her head and slightly pulled away from Stinger, "Let's go home, okay?"

Stinger quickly wiped his face, then straightened. "I'm fine." He stood, then swayed.

Andy wrapped her arm around his waist to help keep him steady.

He walked slowly outside, then stopped. "My voyager?"

Tet sighed. "Balance was muttering curses still. Who do you want to ride with?"

Stinger looked at Andy. "You're leaving now aren't you?"

She shook her head, "I'll stay for awhile. If you are okay with that."

He nodded. "Guess I'll come with you."

Tet called his voyager. "See you there."

Andy called her voyager then shoved her stuff into her bag to clean it up a bit. She helped him in and he noticed the plush he got her from the carnival was sticking out of her bag. She started to lift off before setting autopilot.

Stinger pulled the plushie out, raising an eyebrow.

"What?" She asked quietly.

"Nothing." His lips quirked up as he replaced it in her bag. "So I'm guessing you'll want to be alone in your room? Or will you be sleeping in the infirmary?"

"Do you want to stay in my room with me?"

"You sure you want me?"

She nodded, "Of course."

He gave her a small smile. "Alright." He yawned. "I may end up there before you."

Andy smiled and landed the voyager in the bay. She helped him out and led him to her room.

He lay down, falling asleep in seconds.

Andy smiled softly, sitting down beside him and watching him for a while.