Author's Note: I do not KH BBS or anything affiliated with it. The rights to it belong solely to their respective owners.

Ch.15 Assistance

As I flew threw the Lanes Between I thought about what Zack had said. I wasn't the one who decided if I was a hero, others were. I wonder, did my actions qualify as what a hero would do? Deciding that I might find out someday, I pulled my head back down to earth and kept going. Unnecessary really, because at that moment the Lanes Between around me disappeared and I was flying in space. Before I had a chance to explores thought, a huge ship, easily the size of several cathedrals, flew towards me, along with a dozen smaller ships.

"Freeze! Do not move!" I heard one say, and they all surrounded me. "You are within unauthorized proximity to the Galactic Republic Command Ship! Do not move or we will use deadly force!" I rolled my eyes; great, now I was being arrested. The ships all trained the their guns on me and herded my Glider toward the ship. I flew into the launch bay and all the ships landed, various aliens in uniforms climbing out and pointing lasers at me. "Don't even think of trying anything. Now remove your armor and deactivate your ship," the lead officer said.

Deciding to go along with them, for now at least, I did as they said and dismissed my armor and Glider, both of which vanished in flash of light. Once that was done they pulled my hands behind my back and put me in a pair of cuffs. Then they took me through a series of corridors and transporters until we came to a prison black, cells all along the walls that were only accessible through several lifts attached to the walls. The ship security took me to one on the ground floor and punched in a code, causing the door to slide open with a hiss.

The guards unceremoniously shoved me into the cells, which was bare save for a single bed. The door hissed back shut, and the officer said "Stay in here until Captain Gantu can give a formal interrogation. And don't even think of trying anything funny." I frowned and sat down on the bed; how could I try anything from inside a barren cell? The guards began walking away, and I looked through the glass to see them go. But just as they reached the door a pack of Unversed appeared around them.

"Hey! Freeze!" the officer yelled, and the other guards all pointed their weapons at various Unversed. There was no way they could take them on alone; I had to help them! I looked around my cell, trying to find something that would help me get out. I couldn't see anything, I could even ram the door with my bed since the bed itself was bolted to the floor. Then my Keyblade appeared in my hand. Of course! The Keyblade could open and close any and all locks, including a door like this one.

I pointed Ultimatum at the door and it fired a beam of light, the door automatically sliding open. I ran out just in time to see the Unversed about to leap at the guards, when I yelled "Hey!" They turned to my and I waved my Keyblade, saying "Care to take me on?" The Unversed turned away from the guards, and I moved into a battle stance. This time I was up against three Floods, two Tank Topplers and a Blobmob. Without waiting I cast Sonic Blade, going straight for the Floods and destroying all three of them. But then the two Topplers starting bouncing around the room, trying to hit me every time.

I waited for them and cast Seeker Mine, and when the first Toppler came towards me I cast Seeker Mine. As soon as it got close the mines homed in on it, hitting the Unversed just as it hit the ground. Without waiting I ran behind it and swung, attacking the valve on its back. Since I hit that all the Toppler did was buckle forward and let air rush out of its back. I slashed at it once, twice, three times, and it was about to finish it off when the other Toppler hit me from above, knocking me back.

Without thinking I used Payback Fang, but in the time I had been sent back the first Toppler had turned around, and instead of its valve, my attack hit its stomach and caused to change into bomb form. Shouting in surprise and frustration I ran away, the bomb pursuing me. Just as it got close and exploded, I cast Time Splicer on the other Toppler and teleported it, out the range of the blast. I swung at the other Toppler three times before I teleported to strike the Blobmob, who had also been affected by the spell.

I teleported back in between the two, until I dealt the last blow to the Toppler and the effects of the Stop spell ended. Instantly it disappeared, and the Blobmob was barely holding on. Smiling I cast Quake, causing chunks of rubble to erupt up and hit it. To my surprise however, it didn't disappeared but instead split into two small versions of itself. Damn, that's why it was called a Blobmob! The two replicas floated towards me, but before they could attack I I cast Seeker Mine again, and they both walked into the trap.

Once replica split into two more, leaving three with me, and I realized that unless they were hit with a status effect they would keep multiplying. So I used Time Splicer, freezing them all and moving back and forth amongst them. That did it, and all of the Blobmobs disappeared without a trace. Smiling in triumph I dismissed my Keyblade, saying "And that ladies and gentlemen, is how it's done!"

My victory was short-lived however, because at that moment the guards from before once again aimed at me, and the office said "We thank you for the support. But now you have to return to your cell, as per the rules. How you even got out is beyond me." I sighed, and deciding that unless I came up with a brilliant plan the next en second I was back to square one. Then one did occur to me, one that was both incredibly smart and incredibly stupid.

I held my hand out to be cuffed, and just as the officer stood in front of me I moved and slammed the palms of my hands against both sides of his heads, just behind the temples. The blow dazed him, and I jumped up, placing my hand on the top of its head and using it to launch myself over him. I landed on the ground behind him and started running, while behind me he turned and said "Hey stop! Halt!" A few laser blasts fired at me, but I kept running and they missed.

Once I was out of the Prison Block I kept running, not giving the security the chance to catch up. I ran through probably several large rooms and even larger corridors, until finally I couldn't take it anymore and stopped, leaning against a wall and panting. I looked around, it looked like I was in the ship's transporter room. Relaxing for a moment, I closed my eyes and sighed, letting the exertion of running from an armed guard wash over me. I don't know how long I lied there, but after a while I was about to kept up when I heard a gun click, and a voice I didn't recognize saying "Don't move."

I groaned and was about to actually move when I heard another voice, one that I did recognize, say "Dexal?" My eyes snapped open and I saw a huge guy standing before me, an alien with blue skin, a black outfit and an equally huge laser. But what drew my attention was the person standing behind him, and I blinked when I saw her. "Aqua?" I asked. She smiled and said "It's good to see you," but then the huge guy said "So, you two stowaways know each other? I'll bet you even worked to get on the ship together."

Before I had a chance to argue he said "Now don't even try to fast-talk your way out this. The two of you are being taken to the Grand Councilwoman. She'll decide your sentence." I groaned; if this Councilwoman knew I had just tried to escape the Prison Block then I was in even bigger trouble. The big guy walked behind and kept his laser at the ready, and as we walked Aqua smiled at me. "So, how have things been going on your end?"

I shrugged. "Not too bad, I actually saw Terra for a little bit in the last world I visited. He seemed okay." Aqua nodded and said "That's a relief. But what Ven? Have you seen him?" Sadly I shook my head. "No, sorry." Her expression fell and she said "I see. Well, for now let's worry about trying to get out of this mess." At that point the big guy said "Quiet!" and we fell silent for the rest of the way. After a while we reached what appeared to be the Control Room, and in the center was an alien woman who stood in the center, looking at all the various security cameras. I guess this was the Grand Councilwoman.

"I said stay close!" the bug guy yelled, and she turned around. "What is the meaning of this? Captain Gantu, did I now order you to apprehend the fugitives immediately?" she asked. "Yes- and I will have them in custody soon," he promised. "I would have them already is those wretched monsters would- I mean, if I hadn't uncovered these potentials stowaways!" "We weren't trying to stow away on board!" I protested. Aqua nodded and walked forward.

"My name is Aqua, and this is Dexal. And those monsters- we both followed them here. Please, let us handle this threat. Just give us a chance. The weapons we carry are the only ones that can stop them," she said. "Our weapons are of no use against them? Is this true?" the Councilwoman asked, looking at Gantu. "Well, we haven't had time to explore all our options-" he began. "Nor do we have the time to," she said, before turning back to Aqua. "We are fortunate you are here, Aqua. Your assistance would be most welcome."

Then she looked at me and said "And you Dexal, you will assist her. If you two succeed, I am willing to 'overlook' your grand escape attempt." I blinked, and behind me Gantu said "What do you mean, Grand Councilwoman?" She smiled at both him and my expression, and said "You think I did not know?" She waved her hand at the main screen, which turned static for a second before it showed a video, obviously taken from a security camera, of my escaping the Prison Block.

Gantu and Aqua gasped, the former looking at me and saying "You were also an escapee?! I should have known!" I looked up and him and smiled sheepishly, and the Councilwoman said "My offer stands. If you assist Aqua, and considering that you managed to injure none of the security in your escape, then I am willing to forgive you and drop all charges." I smiled and bowed, saying "Thank you, Grand Councilwoman. I appreciate your kindness."

"But ma'am, you can't honestly believe what this stowaway and escapee say?!" Gantu asked. "I think you'll find that I can. We have a crisis. Jumba and 626 remain at large, and these monsters are obstructing any attempts at apprehending them. Or did I mishear your latest excuse as to why you've again failed to carry out your duties, Captain?" she asked him. He frowned angrily, but the Councilwoman had already turned back to Aqua. "Will you help us?" she asked.

"Of course. Defeating them is our job. It's what we do best," Aqua told her. "Then might I make one other request? Should you happen upon our other fugitives..." she raised waved her hand and the screen changed to show a snapshot of Jumba and 626. "... please do whatever you can to apprehend them intact," she finished. "You want us to capture Dr. Jumba and Experiment 626?" I asked, and which point Gantu said "But you can't just-! That's my job!"

"You had your chance, Captain Gantu. Now you will step down and await further orders," the Councilwoman said firmly. Although I didn't look at him, I could audibly hear Gantu restrain his anger. Smiling, I waited until Aqua came by and left with her. She seemed deep in thought, and I asked "What is it?" "Experiment 626 was carrying a Wayfinder," she said, and my eyes widened. "Are you sure?" I asked. She nodded. "I'd know that shape anywhere. Dexal, did you happen to see Terra or Ven while you trying to escape. "I didn't see them, but if they are or were here it wouldn't surprise me," I told her, and she nodded in agreement.

xxx

And so the adventure in Deep Space begins! What will occur as Aqua and Dexal work together to find Jumba and 626? Will the two succeed? And what about Gantu?

Riilustra: Thank you for your help once again. Now I have a direction to put this story in.

Please review! If you flame me Liam Neeson will look for you, he will find you, and he will kill you. (I'm just kidding... or am I?)