Emma, Cat and Gia were walking through the wilderness surrounding the reservation, killing some time before the game. Emma just wanted a distraction while she waited. Orion had assured her he would talk to Centuri, to straighten out the issue with the arranged marriage before the service, and that they would leave the settlement after the game.

Although the team had come to the settlement for emotional support, they knew that this was a delicate matter, and a conversation Orion was best to have on his own. He was basically telling the man he considered a father that he was rejecting his choice of a bride for him, and with it a significant part of his culture. It was always difficult for a child to defy their parents for the first time. Not a small, insignificant way like going into their bedroom without permission, but the first time they made a significant life decision that was against their parent's wishes.

For Emma, it was the first time one of her protest groups was picketing a company that her dad's company was protecting. A cosmetics firm in the city was discovered to have a horrendous record of animal testing, but upon hearing that their firm was being targeted by protesters, they had put a call into Cerberus to protect their sites and their executives. It had been something that she had agonised over. She loved her father dearly, and never wanted to find herself against him, but on the other hand the rights of animals was something that she was passionate about. She couldn't bear to think of their suffering. She'd had many sleepless nights before she had the courage to tell Eric that she was going to be at the protest he was there to keep at bay, but by the time she told him, Eric just hugged her warmly. She would never forget what he told her. He had just assured her that this was a part of any child's development into an adult. Eventually, they had to make their own decisions in life, and live their own life, not their parents'.

"It's really beautiful out here." Gia commented. "You should have brought your camera."

"I've taken a ton of pictures out here already." Emma told them.

"I can see why Orion and his people like it so much." Cat injected, walking by Gia's side. "It's so still and peaceful...kind of romantic."

"Unfortunately a couple of the locals kind of kill the mood." Gia answered. "Something seriously weird is going on in that town."

"They are unusual people, but I'm sure people think the same about us at times." Emma replied. "It's not like Earth's exactly been a shining beacon of enlightenment at times. The Eltarians were arrogant, but at times you can understand why they thought so little of us."

"OK, this conversation has taken a seriously depressing turn." Cat answered. "Sure, we might not be like...the most brilliant species in existence, but we're getting there. Just look at some of the things that we've done, some of the things that have changed that made things so much better."

"I guess there was a time I wouldn't have had the same opportunities I do now." Emma answered, seeing a half-buried train track. "At one time Asians were considered good enough to bring over to build railways, but not much else. Oh and it wasn't that long ago none of us would have been allowed to vote."

"Because at one time apparently people felt like only men could make a difficult decision like who they want to run their country." Gia replied, rolling her eyes. "And let's not forget, there was a time that Cat and I would have been locked up for what we feel for each other."

"Now, we're allowed to be together if that's what we choose." Cat said with a smile. "We can even get married in some places if that's what we want."

Gia looked to Cat, smiling a little. Cat couldn't help feeling her heart racing. She wished she hadn't brought the subject up now. She wanted to be with Gia, she had already decided that was what she wanted. She was planning to ask her to marry her before the situation with Orion had come to light, but she had postponed it due to the reservations some Andresians had on such matters. The land here was so beautiful and romantic, seeing Gia before her; she was tempted to blurt out the question there and then. She was thankful when Emma interrupted them.

"Hey, you there." She called out, seeing a kid wandering around. They could see he wasn't an Andresian; he was far too dark-skinned. He had an impressive build, and shaggy, dark hair. He was wearing a red t-shirt, khaki shorts and a backpack. He was walking around, looking around in circles, like he was looking for something. He looked over, seeing them and waved.

"Hey there!" He called in response.

"It's a little far out for a walk in the countryside." Gia commented. "Are you looking for something?"

"Yeah, I'm looking for some caves." He answered, coming over to them. He stopped and smiled as he saw them. "Wait...you're the Rangers!"

"Well...yeah." Gia responded.

"I saw you at the Harwood Comicon!" He yelled excitedly. He dusted off his hands on his shorts, offering a hand for a handshake. "I'm Tyler!"

"Wait...I remember you, you were the one that Troy called out to spar with!" Emma answered, shaking his hand. "So...what are you looking for?"

"Some caves my dad was exploring." Tyler explained, showing her some hand-drawn maps. "I think they're around here somewhere..."

"I'm afraid not Tyler." Emma said, sucking her teeth a little.

"Really? I was sure..."

"The map's hand-drawn, but the details...your dad's a pretty good artist, because I'd recognise that stream and those rock formations anywhere." Emma told him. "My dad used to take me out there camping when I was young. It's near Amber Beach."

"Yeah, that's right; I remember you used to take me there too." Gia replied. "There's a great dinosaur museum there. I'm sure someone there could help you find those caves."

"Aw man, I must have taken a wrong turn." Tyler surmised. "Can you help...?"

"Just get back on the freeway heading down the coast." Emma told him. "It'll be signposted from there in a couple of miles."

"It looks like this is the second time your team's helped me out." Tyler replied with a smile. "Thanks for that."

With that, he left.

"So...do you think he has a car?" Cat asked.

"I think it's a safe bet." Emma said with a shrug. "It's a bit far to walk, and I sincerely doubt he hitch-hiked all this way."

"You know what I remember about that museum?" Gia asked. "They have THE best burgers! The Bronto burger! Man they were huge!"

Elsewhere, by the banks of a river, Troy and Jake were passing their time, training. Jake took it as a good warm-up for the Frakkushia game he had later, while Troy just liked to make sure he was always on form. Jake just rubbed his forearm after a block.

"You want a break already?" Troy asked him. Jake just nodded.

"Just remember that one of us doesn't have a metal leg." Jake complained, rubbing the feeling back into his arm. "I pity those Lawgivers if this is what it feels like when you hit a friend. Thank God I'm on your side."

They heard some rustling in the bushes behind them. They didn't indicate they had heard it, but Jake just gestured to the bush.

"That'll just be the bird on our shoulder." Troy told him. "There's been someone following us since we left the reservation. I have a feeling Libra wants to make sure we don't cause any more problems."

"Well if they think we'll cause them problems...why don't we have some fun and cause them some?" Jake asked him, beginning to take off his hoodie. "I think that's enough sparring for now. I think I'd like a swim."

Troy looked a little confused, but when he saw Jake make a little gesture with his finger on his chest, indicating 'around', he nodded in understanding. Jake intended to give their observer a show to distract them, giving Troy a chance to give him a nasty shock when he realised they were aware of his presence. Troy just nodded in understanding, before heading into some bushes.

"I just need to change." Troy replied. "I'll be out in a second."

With that, he headed off out of sight. Jake started to get undressed, preparing for his swim. He could hear more rustling, indicating that their guard was coming in for a closer look. It was working. He was sure that by now, Troy was well on his way circling behind the guard.

He took off his pants, leaving himself just in his underwear, and started to flex out. He was doing all he could to make sure that the guard's attention was on him, and not on figuring out where Troy was. It seemed to work a little better than he expected. With a loud crack, some branches snapped, and there was a shrill screech as an Andresian tumbled out of the bushes. He rushed over, turning her over, finding himself staring at...

"Cass?" He asked. She was turning a bright shade of pink as she looked at him, trying to avoid his gaze. "You were following us?"

"Y...y...yes." She stammered out.

"Why?" He asked her. "Why are you watching us? Do you really think we're going to do something to harm your people?"

"No, no I don't believe that!" She screeched. Jake realised he had her pinned down and got off her, figuring she didn't really pose him any danger.

"Then...then why are you following us?" Jake asked her. Cass was completely bright pink by now, and stammering nonsensically. Jake stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Cass, we don't mean any harm..."

"I know." She told him. "It wasn't the two of you I wanted to watch."

"You didn't?" He asked. She finally looked up to him.

"I...i...it was just...you." She told him. Jake could have kicked himself right there. He should have guessed by the way she was acting. It was like a frightened child that had been caught with an adult magazine. He had gotten along well with her, and had to admit that he had been interested himself. He found her fascinating. So far, they hadn't discussed the embarrassing misunderstanding at the hotel pool. Everyone was more focused on the arranged marriage than on what Jake was doing there. Jake ran a hand through his hair.

"Man I am so dumb." He stated. "Cass..."

"I...I cannot stop thinking of you." She admitted. "I have never met anyone like you. I know it is wrong, but..."

"What's wrong about it?" Jake asked.

"I am...I have...my desires are meant to come second." She told him. "I have already decided I will not marry Orion as my father wishes, but now this...I...I can't..."

"Cass, it's a natural feeling." Jake told her.

"No, it's not our way." She told him. "I am sorry I spied on you."

"Cass wait!" Jake called as she was about to leave. He approached her and looked deeply into her eyes. "You should never feel ashamed for what you feel. Who would tell you...?"

"But you are an outsider." She answered bluntly. "Centuri has told us..."

"Without meaning to be disrespectful, I really don't give a damn what Centuri told you." Jake told her. "He has no right to tell you who you can and can't have feelings for."

"What do feelings have to do with marriage?" She asked him. "That comes later."

"Well, let me tell you how things work where I come from." He told her, taking her hand. "I like you Cass, and...I'd like to get to know you better. Would you like to go on a date?"

"A date?" She asked. "Is that like...courting?"

"In a way." Jake told her. "But your parents don't get to tell you who you're allowed to do it with. In fact, where I'm from, there's a long tradition of parents disapproving of their kids' partner."

"I...I like you too." Cass replied. "And I would like to go on a date with you."

Jake smiled.

"Well, there's no time like the present." He answered, jerking his head in the direction of the river. "We never did get to have that swim remember?"

Cass smiled, and started to get undressed. Where he had taken up position, Troy could see what was happening, and could only smile. He decided to leave them and give them a little privacy. As he left, he didn't notice one of Libra's Lawgivers running back toward the reservation, intent on telling her brother what he had seen.

Back in his room in the tavern, Orion arrived to get ready for the Frakkushia game. He was a little startled to find Noah and a young Andresian, the one covered in bruises in his room. He furrowed his brows.

"By the Gods." He uttered, seeing the kid's injuries. "What happened?"

"This is the kid from the other night." Noah told him. "The one your Lawgivers gave a 'little tap' to discipline."

"The Lawgivers did this for a breach of the peace?" Orion asked, looking disgusted.

"It's not a breach of the peace." The youth told him. "They called it a 'crime against the faith'."

"A crime against the faith?" Orion asked. "You mean heresy? No one has been declared a heretic since the end of the Holy War."

"There have been many charged with such crimes lately." The kid told him.

"Since when?" Orion asked him.

"It wasn't long after we set up the reservation." The kid told him. "When we started to trade, when we started to go to other cities, we interacted with the locals of other towns. Many of us, the younger ones especially were fascinated by the things we had never seen before, the different ideas that they had...our eyes were opened to things that we had never experienced. Before long, some of the elders disapproved of seeing the change in their youth."

"Are you trying to say that they called you a heretic because you played a little music?" Orion asked him. Noah overturned a bag onto the bed. It was full of confiscated I-pods, phones, books, magazines...Orion picked up a copy of 'The Great Gatsby', staring at it in confusion.

"They stopped anyone other than the traders they trusted not to bring anything back from leaving the settlement." Noah told him. "Those sentries aren't just there to keep people out; they're there to keep the kids in."

"I don't understand." Orion said, his mind full of confusion.

"They ban anything from outside the settlement, anything that doesn't agree with everything the preachers say." Noah explained. "The library's full of stuff like this, things they confiscate because they're worried people will start to question what they're being taught."

"This...this is a mistake, you have to be mistaken." Orion said, unable to comprehend what he was being told. These were people he had known all his life, people he had grown up with and been raised by. Now Noah was telling him they were running the town like some kind of prison. "I can't believe..."

"Orion, you said it yourself. Your village was backwards, even back on Andresia." Noah reminded him. "You told us yourself how you were discouraged from bringing the practices of the larger cities back on your trading trips. You said yourself that you were told they were losing their faith."

"Noah, this is..."

"It's not a new thing Orion! It's been done before!" Noah told him. "They control what people are allowed to see, what they're allowed to hear, and pretty soon you control what they believe because they aren't allowed to learn anything different."

"No, this is a lie!" Orion screamed at him. "It has to be!"

"Then what about Gia and Cat?" He asked. "You remember yourself what that did to you finding out about that. You know that you were confronted by something that didn't make sense to the things you had been taught, and to your credit, you were able to work through it and realise that they were your friends. That they were more important than some ideas that were taught to you by the very people that did this to a kid for playing a little music!"

"They don't let us leave; they say that we need to stay in the reservation so we don't lose our faith." The kid told him. "We have been told that we must obey the wishes of the Elders, to retain our way or risk dying out."

Orion just sat on the edge of the bed. Noah put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's just the next logical step in what they were doing back on Andresia." Noah told him. "Orion, I'm sorry..."

"Could you leave me for a moment?" Orion asked him. Noah just nodded in understanding. It wasn't the first time that Orion had been made to question his faith, or his upbringing. It was a difficult thing to find himself confronted by questions over what he had believed in his heart were right and wrong his whole life.

"We won't be far." Noah told him. "We'll be at the field for the game."

With that, he and the young Andresian left the room, leaving Orion alone with his thoughts.