Plopping down in her seat at the side of the cockpit, Amity leaned over to Jx in the pilot seat. "Ready to go?"

He grinned. "Just about."

Leaning back, she set her hands behind her head and stretched. "What a day! Can't believe how much has happened."

"Yeah," Jx snorted. "Get some rest. The flight will take at least a day."

"You'll be fine?" She glanced at him.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'll probably take a nap too once we're going."

"Okay," she nodded, rising to her feet. Moving to the door, she pointed a finger at him. "But tomorrow you're telling me about Halcyon."

Jx laughed. "Fine. Just didn't want to bore you."

Amity pushed the door open and shook her head. "Just remember, I did ask."

xXxXx

Looking around the cargo hold, Amity spotted a long crate against the wall and sat on it. Unclipping her belt, she set Machina beside her and placed the belt on the floor. Slipping off her jacket and setting it on top of the belt, she stretched out on the crate and pulled Machina to her side. "We're coming to see you," she spoke to it.

"We are aware," the sword replied.

Amity stared at it, eyelids becoming heavy. "That doesn't surprise me." She shut her eyes and set the blade on the floor. "See you tomorrow."

xXxXx

Amity kicked awake at the sound of loud clanging. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and reached for her jacket. Clipping on her belt, she hooked Machina to it and stood up, turning her head to follow the sound. The engine room loomed before her. "Of course…" she muttered and shook her head.

Pushing open the door, she stepped inside and rounded the corner, finding Vincent hard at work on the engine. Setting a hand on her hip, she frowned. "Didn't stay behind with the others?"

He shrugged, not looking up. "Told you this thing needed work. I don't suppose we picked up parts during our short stay at the colony?"

Amity shook her head. "Sorry, slipped my mind. It was a really busy day."

Vincent set his wrench down and wiped his brow, looking around the room. "Well, suppose I could overhaul some of these secondaries. Might have to."

Amity gestured carelessly to the other machines in the room. "Go for it. Whatever it needs to run."

Vincent nodded and took his wrench, prying at the cover on a slide wall turbine. "How'd you sleep?"

Amity shrugged her shoulders and glanced at the floor. "Fine. Crate wasn't much of a bed, but I've had worse. Could've done without the early morning maintenance though."

"Eh," Vincent grunted and set the panel down, looking over the wires inside.

"Yeah, I know." Amity crossed her arms. "Had to be done." She glanced at the door. "With any luck we'll be to Okohdako by the end of today anyway."

"Where?"

She turned to him. "I think that's what it's called. Place where this sword came from."

"Aha." He pulled at one of the wires, then set it back in place.

"Think I'll go check on Jx." She motioned behind with her thumb.

"Seeya." He waved blindly, continuing his work.

xXxXx

Entering the cockpit, Amity crept to the pilot's seat and glanced at Jx. His eyes were shut and his mouth hung slightly open. Using her fingers to poke him softly in the arm, she watched him jolt awake and turn to her.

"Oh! Hey, Amity."

She snickered. "'Morning."

He grinned and stretched his shoulders, turning to the console. "Course all set. Should arrive in the next day."

"Can't wait." Amity sat at her chair and relaxed her muscles. "So, ready to talk?"

"Heh." He rubbed an eye and looked up. "Wouldn't you rather have breakfast first?"

"Breakfast?" She sat up. "You mean we have food here?"

He stared at her blankly, then stamped a foot. "Dangit!" He rubbed his forehead and stared at the floor. "Sorry, forgot we used it all yesterday with the passengers. Used to having something around…"

Amity laughed. "It's alright, we'll make it." She sat back and gestured with a hand. "So, Halcyon?"

He shook his head and sat down, turning his chair to face her. "All right, because you've been so patient. Where should I start?"

"Well," Amity tilted her head. "Did you have a job there? Before the Ammehkuc?"

He nodded. "I attended the Royal Academy, training to serve in the Order of Kalxuxo."

"Royal?"

He shrugged. "A formality. We no longer have a royal family, but the idea's still there."

"I see." Amity bit her lip. "Go on."

"The Order exists to preserve the history of our people. Kalxuxo was its founder. Actually…" He stood up, walking over to a wall compartment and withdrawing a folded white robe from it. "This was my gift when I was inducted." He angled it to show her the emblem on it: a feather in a circle drawn in gold trim. "It's really quite comfortable."

"Why don't you wear it now?" Amity smirked.

"Had to fit in on Delta, so plain clothes were necessary." He looked at the robe. "Though if you don't mind…"

Amity smiled. "Please, I'd like to see you in it."

Jx grinned and nodded. "Alright, just a moment." He stepped out into the cargo hold, returning a few minutes later dressed in the robe, with a silver belt and armlets. Crumpling his work clothes into a ball, he tossed them in the corner and took his seat again.

"Looks nice," she complimented.

"Thanks," he beamed, relaxing. "So I joined the Order, then while studying the stories of the Ethereals I met Athena, and she lead me to the Ammehkuc."

"Stories? Like myths?"

"Well," he tilted his head. "Some. Also a few case studies. Athena and others had been to Halcyon before, though on rare occasion, so we knew a little about them."

"How long ago was that?"

"That I met her?"

"Yeah."

He rubbed his beak. "Three years? Something like that."

"But she'd been there before that?"

"She IS centuries old," Jx laughed.

"Right," Amity scratched her forehead. "How could I forget?"

"And I see you two are getting along now?"

"Huh?" Amity looked up. "We have an understanding now, yeah." She shook her head. "I don't know. Afraid I judged her based on Nega."

"I wouldn't worry about it," Jx replied. "She gets that a lot. Her species is hard for us to relate to, and they to us."

"True," Amity nodded. "I tried talking to her about Nega, but what she said was… weird. It made sense, but… well, I guess they're different from us."

"I don't believe it either."

"She said that too." Amity smirked. "But what's so hard to believe about it?"

Jx sat back. "Something I've learned about Ethereals is they are very thoughtful and methodical. They think their ideas through completely before making it a part of themselves, and because of this I can't believe one would dedicate himself simply to becoming death. What would be the purpose of it? It rings too much of psychosis for their intellect."

"Perhaps…" Amity frowned. "I'd be glad never to see him again, but I don't think that's possible."

"So you've decided to join the Ammehkuc then?" Jx raised an eyebrow.

She shrugged. "I still want to meet them first, but yeah. All that work we were doing yesterday, it just felt right."

"It can get pretty thankless at times," Jx warned with a smile.

"I expected as much," Amity replied. "But it's worth it. And what can I say?" She grinned at him. "You're a really cool guy."

He blushed. "Thanks." Glancing out the window, he spoke to himself, "What else can I tell you about Halcyon…"

"Any family?"

He shook his head. "Brothers and sisters went to other careers, haven't heard from them in years."

"And your parents?"

"Elderly. I was one of the later children to be born, so it wasn't long after I entered the Academy that they retired to the Community of Sages."

"And you never hear from them?" Amity frowned.

"The elder members of our society are expected to withdraw and create a memorial of their life, which will be displayed for all to see. It's a great honor, but they dedicate all their time to it."

Amity bit her lip. "I see. So just how many siblings do you have?"

"Twenty-three."

Amity's jaw dropped, then she burst out laughing. "Quite a family!"

Jx chuckled. "I suppose so. Normal for us. How many were in yours?"

"Just me," Amity replied. "Parents were the chefs for the King and Queen, so they hardly had enough time for me. I got by though."

"You and the princess?"

Amity smirked and set her hands on her lap. "Yeah, we had fun."

Sitting up slowly, Jx turned to the control panel and frowned.

"What is it?" Amity leaned forward.

He pointed to the radar. "Someone's approaching, but they're not transmitting a signal."

Amity grimaced. "What does that mean?"

"Pirates."

xXxXx

Reaching into the wall cabinet, Jx withdrew a curved blade and swung it at his side.

"So," Amity smirked, hefting Machina to her shoulder. "You prefer swords too?"

Jx shrugged. "Doesn't need ammo."

Amity nodded and looked to the door. "Where do you think they'll board?"

"They'll want the ship intact, so probably the upper entry port." He reached over and keyed in a command, and the engine whirred to a stop. "If we run, they'll shoot and just create more damage."

"So they won't shoot us anyway, just as a precaution?"

"I don't know, but we can't take the risk." He opened the door to the cargo hold. "For now, we need to take up positions."

Entering the hold, he moved behind a tall stack of crates with a view to the hatch overhead and motioned for Amity to move to another stack. Creeping behind it, Amity set her fingers on the top crate and watched the hatch. Gritting her teeth, she glanced at Jx, seeing him stare at the hatch with a determined look. He met her gaze and nodded, and she tightened her grip on her sword.

Creaking, the wheel on the door slowly turned, then spun and the hatch fell open. A slender black bird dropped through and landed in a crouch, then rose to his feet. He was clad head to toe in brown leather and wore a blue bandana, with the black feathers on his head sticking up wildly. His thin white eyes narrowed as he looked around the hold.

Stepping from behind his cover, Jx aimed his sword at the pirate. "I know who you are."

The corner of the bird's triangular beak rose slightly. "Good for you." His taloned toes twitched.

Amity glanced at Jx and stepped out, sword ready. "You know him?"

Jx nodded. "His name's Thrush. Wanted for multiple homicide."

"Multiple homicide?" Thrush laughed. "Multiple's not sufficient to cover it."

"He's also a sadist," Jx growled.

"And how would you know that?" Thrush frowned. "I didn't let one live, did I? Dammit, must be getting sloppy…"

Jx stepped forward, sword aimed steadily at his chest. "I'd tell you to surrender, but I expect you won't."

Thrush grinned. "Correct." Tilting his head, he eyed Amity head to toe. "Quite a specimen there. Wonder what her pain threshold is…"

"Shut up!" Jx shouted.

Amity jolted and stared at him. "Jx…?"

Thrush's tongue extended and licked the edge of his beak. "Women are more fun, the way they squirm when you gut them…"

Jx lunged and stabbed, but Thrush spun behind him, wrapping his arm around Jx's neck. Elbowing Thrush in the gut, Jx turned to face him. Thrush lunged with his beak, but Jx twisted his head just in time to dodge.

Amity moved in and kicked Thrush, knocking him back, but as she followed up with a horizontal slice he rolled under the blade, sweeping her leg with his foot.

As Amity stumbled backward, Jx swept toward Thrush, swinging his sword downward. Thrush pushed himself back so the blade only scratched the surface, then leapt to the wall and kicked off, spreading his wings and angling his talons at Jx.

Jx raised his sword to block, but Amity intercepted Thrush, his talons clawing into her left shoulder as she knocked him to the side. Flinching as she clasped the wound, she turned to Jx. "I'll be fine. Stop him!"

Thrush slid to the corner and used the wall to push himself back to his feet. "Exhilarating," he panted, stretching his shoulders and turning to Jx. "I will enjoy feasting on your corpses."

Jx glared and swung his sword, then kicked as Thrush inevitably ducked, catching him in the gut and flinging him into the wall.

Curled in the corner, Thrush laughed and coughed blood onto the floor, then looked up. "Such anger…"

Jx stood over him, sword in hand, breathing heavily. "Why? Why do you do this?"

Thrush snorted and narrowed his eyes at him. "It's fun." Jolting upright, he lunged with his beak, but Machina caught him across the neck and severed his head.

Jx turned. "Amity?"

She dropped the sword and clutched her shoulder. "Can't reason with him. I had to."

Jx blinked and nodded. "Yeah…" He looked at her bloody arm. "Are you alright?"

She grimaced. "A little weak, but I'll make it."

He glanced down at Thrush's severed head, body spilling blood onto the floor, then back at Amity's arm. "Let me get the first aid. Then we'll clean this up."

She nodded. "Thanks."

Taking a kit from the wall, he set it down and took out a roll of bandage, then sat on a crate and motioned for her to sit beside him. Flinching, she released her grip on her arm and sat down, holding up the wound to him. Winding the bandage around her arm, he smirked, "You saved my life just now, twice."

She snorted and shook her head. "Didn't kill me; I'm sure you'd have been fine."

"Still…" He wrapped the bandage over her shoulder and pulled it tight, then tied it. "All set?"

"Yeah," she gritted her teeth and clutched it, then released. "Just need to rest it now." Glancing at Machina on the floor, she leaned over and picked it up, wiping the blood from the blade onto her pant leg. Turning to Jx, she grinned. "Don't suppose you have a washing machine on here, huh?"

Jx shook his head. "Unfortunately, but Okohdako has facilities." He looked at Thrush's corpse. "Have to find somewhere to keep him until we can turn him over to the Ammehkuc."

Amity glanced at the open hatch. "Back to his own ship?"

Jx frowned. "We'll actually have to detach from that. Can't keep flying with it on there. We'll just leave a beacon so it can be retrieved later."

"Well, figure something out…" She rubbed her chin, then flinched and sat down. "Think I should rest a bit."

"Can I help you to the cockpit?" He held out his arms.

"Thanks, I'll be fine." She slid away, lifting her legs onto the crate and lying down. Hearing a door, she turned her head and saw Vincent enter.

Vincent glanced at the corpse, then the open hatchway. "What kind of ship up there?"

Jx shook his head. "I didn't check. Light cruiser at least."

Vincent nodded and stood under the opening, then turned to Jx. "Little help?"

"Huh?" Jx looked up at the hatch. "Oh, right." He took Vincent under the arms and lifted him to the hatch. "What's up there?"

"Engine parts," Vincent replied, pulling himself the rest of the way. "Shouldn't be long."

"That's fine." Jx glanced over at Amity. "She could use some rest anyway."

Amity shut her eyes and shook her head. "Feel like such a wimp, lying here, making you tend to me."

"Don't worry about it," Jx smiled. "Glad to return the favor."

"Thanks." Amity set her head down, then opened an eye and stared at him. "Do something about that corpse, willya?"

Jx laughed. "Right away, milady."