Staring at the metal guards, "Guess you don't practice the calling a lawyer option," he said getting pushed into a cell.

Noticing black haired orange toned girl, "What are you in for?" asked her new male cellmate sitting across from her, "Plus do you have a spoon? Answer the second question, first."

"I tried to frame my sister, single handily tried to take over a planet," she answered, "and tried stealing my sister's boyfriend."

"Oh, in for jay walking," he commented.

"I might be better company with these off," indicating to the metal encasements covering her hands along with the power restriction collar around her neck, "And no I don't have a spoon."

"Fine," studying the encasements and collar, "As long you can blast through that door," pulling the sonic screwdriver from his boot.

Hearing a low hum, "How do you know I won't betray you?"

"I don't. Figure by removing this collar, you'll blast through that door and I'll make my escape in the chaos."

"Not hero, huh."

"Straight up coward," removing the collar.

"What about this?" motioning to the encasements.

"You should be able to blast them off."

Her eyes glowing purple then the encasement burst from her hands.

Holding her glowing hand at him, "Need to hurry. They're gathering."

Aiming her hand at the cell door, she blasted the door opened. She flew out then sounds of metal being destroyed. Slipping out, he saw the wreckage. Quickly walking towards the elevator, he pushed a button. Surprise it works.

Riding the elevator to the hanger, "Need elevator music," he hummed, "Gonna make a jailbreak. Always looking towards the sky. Gonna make a jailbreak. All in the name of liberty. Got to be free. Jailbreak. Let me outta here. Jailbreak. More than I can take."

Stopping, he stepped from the elevator. Sneaking down the corridor, he saw the warden's escape ship. Studying the ship, he found the button to open the door. Pushing it, the gangplank lowered. He stared at the warden aiming a plasma pistol at him.

"Had a good gig here. These bolt heads didn't tell the difference. You fucked it up."

Shrugging, "Take a number and complain."

Pulling the trigger, the prisoner dropped. Kicking the dead, the warden turned to escape only for a pair of hands to snap his neck.

"Pesco, you should've waited until we left then double cross me," entering the ship.

Sitting in the pilot seat which started the console up, he typed universal code to open the hanger door. Shot from the hanger, the ship left the snow covered surface. Typing in coordinates, his ears caught tapping against the front glass. Looking up, it was his cell mate tapping on the glass. Smirking, he pushed the air lock button. Flying from his sight, she entered the airlock.

Depressurizing the air lock, she entered.

Closing the door, "Hello."

"How I can help you?" he asked.

"Wonder if you needed a traveling companion?"

"Thought you're able to fly through space."

Sitting down in the copilot seat, "I can," pulling down the zipper of her prison uniform, "I'm changing to formal wear," slipping her prison uniform off.

Staring at her naked orange body, "Be free to stay formal," watching her walk towards him, "What planet would you like?"

Sitting on his lap, "I haven't decided, yet," playing with his hair.

"Should mention I'm spoken for," feeling her hands stroking his neck, "A red head with a jealous streak. Would skin that lovely orange skin off your sexy body?"

Blowing onto his ear, "Wouldn't be the first time I had a jealous lover wanted me dead," licking his cheek, "Blackfire is my name," slipping her hand under his shirt

"Manko," he said pushing the cruise control button.

Five hours into a fifteen hour deep space flight later, Jake came to a realization.

"God, I'm bored," he thought. Too late to regret about having a healing factor.

Veritechs were not made for long fights, so comfort wasn't an option. Glancing over to the right, there was the T-ship was with five of the Titans. With a slight smile on his face, Nightwing stared at Starfire . Cyborg kept watch on his computer systems while the other Titans were asleep in their pods. Flying slightly behind was Blackfire, looking a bit down, almost depressed.

Looking further back at Raven, she had her eyes closed and her lips were moving. She must be chanting focusing her time on mediating.

Engaging the internal radio, "Raven?"

Opening one eye that glared at him, "What?"

Danger zone.

"I'm sorry for interrupting," he said, "but I'm wondering something." Yeah, if Raven ditched this dead weight, can she pilot a v-tech without his help?

Opening both eyes, she stared at him.

"When you were with the others the first time on Tameran, you said the Starfire acted as Empress and banished Blackfire, correct."

"Yes, what of it?"

"Well, if she going back, what's going to happen to her?".

"I don't know. My guess, if she's lucky, she'll be put on trial. If she isn't, she is going to be killed."

Sighing, he should have figured that. This been pointed out, Jake's a little slow.

Giving him look of curiosity, "Why do you ask?"

Again, Jake sighed.

"Something just doesn't feel right about her."

"She's a criminal," Raven said in that cold tone, "what isn't right about her."

Glaring back, "You could say the same about me, Jinx, and Terra, and yet were good guys," returning his attention to Blackfire, "I think she's more angry about something. I don't think she's a bad guy per say, I just don't think she's been given the chance." Wow, Jake you don't know a thing.

"Anyway you look at it," sighed Raven, "she still has to pay for what she's done."

"I know. Sorry for disturbing you."

"It's alright," she replied.

"Well, we still have another ten hours," looking back at her over his shoulder.

Smiling, "Alright."

Smiling back as she closed her eyes, "I love you."

Smiling with one eye opened, "I love you, too."

Returning to her mediation, he turned around making himself as comfortable as he could within the confines of his fighter.

Flipping the PC on that was installed when he received the fighter. he had music and a couple of small games installed. With the opening rifts of "Seek and Destroy "by Metallica causing him hearing loss, he drifted to sleep after activating the autopilot.

Our brains are on fire
With the feeling to kill
And it will not go away
Until our dreams are fulfilled
There is only one thing
On our minds
Don't try running away
Cause you're the one we will find
- Seek and Destroy by Metallica

A few hours later, a warning beacon went off causing Jake eyes to snap open. Shutting off the PC, he went SOP.

Clicking on his mike, "Hey Cyborg, you reading this."

"Yea man," came the reply, "But I can't make head or tails. What's going on?"

"I don't have a clue," said Jake, "but it's big. It is ahead of us, whatever it is. I think we should hold back till it passes."

"I can't argue with that man."

Both Cyborg and Jake cut off the engines of their ships. They lined up beside each while Starfire and Blackfire watched with confusion.

Using his external com, "Cyborg and I are getting weird readings," said Jake, "We're holding back till we can figure out what's going on. Get behind us, we can take a hit."

The two Tamaraneans nodded. Blackfire got behind Jake's fighter while Starfire was behind the T-ship. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Raven asleep.

"Raven," he called over the radio.

Jumping a bit, then glared at Jake.

"What now?," she asked in a sleepy voice.

"Remember how I showed you how to hook into your combat harness?"

She nodded.

"Do it. Something's happening out there and if we get in a fight, I don't want you getting slapped around in here."

Nodding, she hooked into the combat harness like Jake had told her.

"I heard that Jake," remarked Cyborg, "You think something's coming?"

"Yea," Jake replied, "but what, I don't have a fucking clue."

A moment later, their answer appeared in flashes of blue light. Ships of every size, every shape with no two ship the same appeared.

"Dudes," came from Beast Boy's mic, "I don't think Blackfire was lying."

A a scratchy voice came over the radio.

"Unidentified ships, state your intentions."

Staring at the T-ship, Jake saw a couple of the Titans shrugged. Turning his attention to Nightwing, and motioned for him to reply.

"We would prefer to know who we are speaking with first before we state anything," came Nightwing's reply.

A a deep, more masculine voice spoke this time.

"Why, is that Robin of the Titans? Come to help us fight the Troqs?"

"The name is Nightwing now, and no," came the reply with a tone of someone restraining themselves from verbally ripping the guy a new asshole.

Looking at Raven with a confused expression, he saw, "Val-Yor," formed by her mouth.

Jake nodded in understanding.

"Very well, and who is in the second ship there with you," came back Val-Yor's voice.

"This is Jake Spiegel in the Red Wolf," Jake replied. "And I'm with the Titans bub, so you can forget about having my help." Make him a offer he can't refuse namely castrate him.

Val-Yor's voice returned, "and I see you have two Troq's flying with you. I hope your not taking them to warn their planet."

"Well," came Jake, "that is the plan."

Val-Yor's voice had a smug tone to it.

"You do know that I have gathered an Armada of over five thousands ships. Not including ground forces and fighter craft stored within the majority of the ships."

Which was true, and by the look on Jake's radar, more were coming.

Before either of ships could reply, Val-Yor came back over the radio.

"However, I know that I will not be able to change your minds. There fore, I can not let you pass."

Again, before the Titans could respond, the fleet of ships opened up on the flyers.

The T-ship and Veritech hit their thrusters, and Starfire and Blackfire went right behind them.

"Shit, Cyborg, get past the ships and push it the rest of the way to Tameran," Jake yelled through, dodging blaster fire coming at him.

"What about the fighters they would launch to come after us," came Nightwing's reply.

"You worry about getting out of here, let me worry about the fighters," Jake called back, shooting straight into the fleets ship lines.

The two ships and the two Tamaraneans worked their way through the enemies' fleet, keeping close to the large ship to reduce the fire coming at them.

It seemed like forever, dodging missiles and heavy blaster fire. The group managed to get past the gathered forces and pull away only to be unable to get scott free. Two squads of interceptor fighters chased them once they got past the group of battleships. And gaining fast.

Running through his weapons checklist while using the external com, "Blackfire, stick with the others."

Nodding at him, she flew away.

"Are you sure you can take them?" asked Nighhtwing.

"This thing is just like riding a bike, you never forget," said Jake unless there's laser fire trying to knock you off said bike, "brace yourself," looking over at Raven, "and I'll tell you now, I'm sorry for what you're going to go through."

Watching Jake slowing the v-tech down and letting the fighters catch him. "What are you doing?" she asked as a target lock beacon flashed on his terminal.

"Just hold on," Jake replied pulling a lever marked G.

The thrusters cut completely as the two lower engine pods moved underneath the ship, almost becoming legs. Positioned in front of the ship, they relit sending the fighter backwards without turning the ship around. The fighters flew past, not even having a chance to stop and turn around.

Flipping the missile launch safety off., his targeting computer locked onto five ships.

Grinning, "Jackpot," replied Jake squeezing missile fire trigger on his flight stick which sent a barrage of missile at his targets, destroying them all.

By now, the fighter was in the gerwalk mode, that's a hybrid of jet fighter and humanoid robot with a pair of legs and arms. One arm held rather large machine gun in its hand. Pulling another lever marked 'B', the fighter went into battloid mode. As the fighter began changing, Raven witnessed in awe as her seat shifted positions.

Occupants of the T-ship and the two Tamaraneans watched this while thinking, "Holy shit."

From a distance, they saw Jake's fighter turn into a large red black stripped fifty foot tall robot.

Watching battloid in action, "Um, should we help him?" asked Terra over the radio.

Shaking his head as Jake destroyed an enemy fighter with three rounds, "I don't think we should," replied Nightwing, "I think he's got things under control."

The squads of fighters stood no chance against the battloid form of the Veritech, as Jake dodged their fire and returned his own with deadly accuracy. Nothing remained expect two fighters.

Returning to fighter mode, it flew beside the T-ship.

"What the fuck are you waiting for," came Jake over the radio, "get going. We've got a fleet coming our way, we haven't got time to flock around."

"Jake," said Cyborg still stunned, "what the hell are you flying?"

"Fly now," said Jake lighting his thrusters, "questions later."

With that, they didn't stick around for that fleet to show up.

On the Flagship Hero, Val-Yor watched as the two ships flee from his fighting force towards certain death. He hoped the Titans would have come to their senses about the stupid Troq, but he saw that he was wrong. It didn't matter. This Jake Spiegel and that fighter of his. He would make a powerful ally with a ship like that. Need to use the right leverage on him. Smiling with his combine forces nothing would stop them from wiping out the Troq. Nothing would save them from that glorious destiny.

Flash, a-ah, savior of the universe
Flash, a-ah, he'll save everyone of us
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Flash, a-ah, he's a miracle
Flash, a-ah, king of the impossible
- Flash Gordon theme by Queen

Four hours later, Jake broke through Tameran atmosphere without even slowing down. And the T-ship and two Tamaranean females followed.

That fleet might be right behind them, or they might not show up till tomorrow. Either way, forces are coming in, and be here soon.

Flying to the only habited city on the planet with a landing nearby, the T-ship's landing wheels came down. Landing beside them was the Red Wolf in hybrid mode. Using the feet to land, its nose tipped towards the ground allowing Jake and Raven to jump out of the cockpit. Approaching the fighter, The Titans watched the canopy slid open and Jake jumping out with a holster belt in one hand, assault rifle in another.

Shaking his head, "You are really going to need to run the specs by me on this thing," said Cyborg, "I've never seen anything like it." Ask Daria about VF-19.

Slinging the rifle onto his shoulder, "Fine," remarked Jake, "but when we get back to Earth."

A deep voice behind them, "You have brought back the banished one," brought their attention onto a large man with a scar over the right side of his face with bulking muscles, and a purple crown indicating he was the ruler.

Flying towards him quickly, Starfire gave him a rather strong hug.

"Galfore, I am please to see you."

Smiling, "As am I," remarked Galfore, "but why is the one you banish with you."

Starfire pulled away, her face grim, "Warriors come to destroy us. Blackfire came and warned me, being that I would be the only one who would listen."

"But she lies," Galfore stated with a sneer on his face.

Shaking her head, "She does not," said Starfire, "I have seen the warships. And they are coming here soon."

"No matter," sighed Galfore, "truth or not, the penalty remains. She must die."

Two guards appeared pointing their weapons at Blackfire, who just smirked and shook her head. Stepping between them and Blackfire, Jake aimed his rifle at them.

"You want her, come through me first."

Puffing out his chest, "You dare challenge us," roared Galfore. Yes, he does and here's your chance to shoot him.

Before a challenge could be made, Starfire stepped in talking to him in a separate language.

They exchanged words.

"Take her to the dungeon, she will await for her trail."

Jake moved out of the way as the guards took her away.

"Come," said Galfore, "we have much to discuss."

Galfore led the Titans through the street.

"Something's off," he thought noticing men with green eyes and women with red hair watched them head towards the palace.

Then it hit Jake like a steamroller which is normal for him.

"It makes sense now," continuing his train of thought, "Everyone here looks the same."

"Galfore," he said causing the large man looked at him over his shoulder, "I was wondering if you would allow me to speak with the banished one."

A moment to think and with a bit of help from Starfire, Galfore spoke, "You may, but you will not be allowed to carry your weapons."

Nodding, Jake followed the guards to the Palace Dungeon.

"Yeah, musha rain dum a doo, dum a da, ha, yeah
Whack for my daddy, oh
Whack for my daddy, oh
There's whiskey in the jar,

Oh yeah, whiskey, yo, whiskey
Oh, oh, yeah
Oh, oh, yeah,"
filtered from Blackfire's cell.

Sitting on the floor, "Now some people like a fishin'
But some people like the fowlin'
Some people like to hear the cannonball roarin'
Me, I like sleepin',
'Specially in my Manko's chamber
But here I am in prison,
Here I am with a ball and chain, yeah,"
hummed from Blackfire's lips.

Shaking her head, "For crying out loud, why couldn't I have kept my nose out of everything," thought Blackfire sitting with a break proof chain around her wrists and neck, "Plus should have got a spoon."

If she just kept out of everything, didn't even come back. If she didn't even go to her sister, she wouldn't be in this spot.

Laughing to herself, "Trial or not, I'm dead."

The door to her cell opened and in stepped Jake. The door closed then locked behind him.

Glaring at him, "What do you want, child? Are you here to kill me already?"

"No," he said as he sat across from her on the ground, "just to talk."

Continuing to glare, "Why? Anyway you look at it, I'm dead."

Thinking about what to say, then just came right out with, "How badly were you treated for being born different?"

"What the hell are you talking about? Should've just told me to eat the high horse that I fell off of."

"Huh? Coming here, it's not hard to notice the fact that every person on this world is almost exactly the same. Same eye color, same hair color, hell, I bet even there star bolts are the same. Expect for you, and you were treated differently because of it," Jake replied, with a look of sympathy on his face.

"What the hell do you know about what I've been through?"

Snikt

Starring at the three exposed claws from in between Jake's knuckles caused Blackfire's eyes to wider.

"I know more then you, and I've suffered more then you," said Jake explaining to her about the organization, about the enhancements, about his hell. Again, he can't keep a secret.

Laughing, "You choose to be different. I was born different," staring at his knuckles, "Minor announce, huh?"

"I'm trying to help you."

"No, you are speeding up my desire to die."

Sighing, "So," he said a bit louder, "anything you want to tell me?"

Sitting back, "I am Koriand'r's, Starfire, older sister, but because of being born different, I was denied my place. Everything was for Starfire, never for me. When she got her K'Norfka, I was left to fend for myself. Everything I achieved, fought for, where as Starfire was just given things. Including the throne when she became of age. Then she disappeared for a full cycle, no one knew what happened. When she return, she was different. Her light was gone, even though she had hid it well. She stayed for a bit, then left again for Earth. With her gone, I would have been able to finally take my place, but the crown was given to another, to wait until Starfire's returned," laying her head against the concrete, "being denied once again, I left. Being I had to fight for everything here, I fought for my place in space. I learned several things in my travels, then finally stole a Centauri Moon Diamond and was going to use it to frame Starfire. With her in jail, I could take my place. The same thing happened when I came back and fought with the ruler before me to take my place. But I still had to, by law, give my rule to Starfire the crown when she turned of age. At which point I worked out a plan with Glgrdsklechhh, who would have given me a powerful artifact that I would have used to bring my people happiness. But both times Starfire had stopped me and I had to pay even further."

"So everything you did," remarked Jake, "that you could to get back the throne that was taken from you."

"I am of royal blood! Yet, I was denied my place because I was different."

"Big fucking deal," said Jake. "Just cause you got kicked off the throne doesn't mean you had to screw with your sister."

"Manko was a bit more understanding," retorted Blackfire glaring, "That is not true. When she would have been five on your world, she broke a priceless urn that had been passed along our line for fifteen generations. I took the blame because she was scared of what would happen to her. Whenever someone would bully her, I protected her. I love my sister, and it killed me every time I had to plot against her, but I had to."

"Then why change now."

"Ryand'r and Manko," she thought instead she returned to staring at ground.

"I don't know. I wanted to make up for my past. I only want my sister back. I know I'll never have my place."

"Would you like me to talk to her?"

"No, I'm sure she has enough problems."

Jake was going to say something, when the building shook and the sound of an explosion could be heard.

Jake shot up and called for the guard. He looked back at Blackfire and told to her, "Your sister is not a hero here. If you become one when its needed, you'll find your place."

And with that, he rushed off to find out what was going on.

"Strange, Manko made better sense and would have got me out," she thought going back to, "Now some people like a fishin'
But some people like the fowlin'
Some people like to hear the cannonball roarin'
Me, I like sleepin',
'Specially in my Manko's chamber
But here I am in prison,
Here I am with a ball and chain, yeah"

In the upper level of the Palace, a second explosion rocked the room that held the Titans. The guards and Jake rushed in.

"Empress Koriand'r, what should we do," asked one of the guards.

Blinking, "What has happened to Galfore?" she asked.

Lowering his head, "Forgive me your majesty, but Galfore was killed in the first explosion. You are our leader now."

"I don't think that really matter," said Jinx from the window.

The others rushed to the windows, and watched an army of soldiers march into the streets, and more could be seen on the outskirts, as well as battlemechs and other assorted armor moving up into a battle ready position.

Everyone was in shook, and the only thought was.

"Oh holy fuck."