EPILOGUE

Axton and Willy had just returned to the Crimson Raiders HQ. Lillith had presented them with the task of bringing the Hyperion stronghold in the Gulag, to the ground. And the pair had successfully obliterated all signs of Hyperions mark in the Gulag. Lillith, Maya and Montayva had conducted a very thorough search of the facility and had not turned up a single scrap of evidence relating their energy loss to Duraphs recreated eridian technologies. They could only assume that he had kept it on his person, or in a completely different facility altogether.

'So...' Axton began as he joined Lillith, Maya, Gaige, Brick, Zareb, Willy and Zer0 in the main control room. 'On to bigger and better vaults I take it?' He nodded towards Zer0, acknowledging his presence would mean something significant.

'It appears as though our next challenge is alot closer to home than we thought' Maya started. 'Those crazy old Monks may have been smarter than I gave them credit for. Blackmail may not have been their only purpose in holding me'

'Athenas? Hmmm, always wanted to check out that planet' Axton rubbed the short stubble on his chin.

'Which would lead us to believe that would be the same reason they were after Montayva also' Lillith leaned forward against the holographic maps display table.

'Speaking of which... Where is she?' Axton glanced around, but when he realised Mordecai was also absent, he held both of his palms up 'Scrap that, dont wanna know!'

Maya and Lillith glanced knowingly at each other. In the month that had passed since the battle against Duraph, Montayva had let the pair in on her little secret.

'Here you go' Mordecai handed Montayva a large slice of pizza he had just acquired from Moxxis. Montayva was propped up in their bed. The new room on the bottom floor of the HQ had recently been finished. After an initial dispute from Tannis, who would have liked to turn the new room into a new laboratory, they had agreed to let Mordecai and Montayva take the room as their own.

'No more for me thanks, I already feel like a rakk hive ready to explode!' Mordecai chuckled as Montayva rubbed her stomach. She had a barely noticeable bump when she was clothed. But Mordecai was enjoying his sirens newly voluptuous figure. He leaned forward, and rubbed Montayvas stomach gently.

'Growing fast now isn't he?' Montayva laughed at his assumption of the sex, but each day she fervently hoped he was right.

'What makes you think it will be a boy?' she asked.

'Simple. I dont own big enough guns to have a daughter!' Montayva laughed at his logic, and tried to force the stress from her mind. 'Dont worry babe, I wont let anything happen to you' He leaned forward and kissed her gently, before standing again. Despite the fact that Montayva was the one with the ability to read moods, Mordecai had been doing an exceptional job of reading hers lately. As much as Montayva tried not to, she constantly wondered if she would suffer the same fate as her mother. 'Well, seems like we're missing something upstairs' Mordecai stood, and took Montayvas hand as he helped her off the bed.

'Join us at your own leisure why dont you. Oh, wait. You did!' Axton said sarcastically as Mordecai and Montayva entered the room.

'Dont worry, you haven't missed much' Maya said to Montayva as the younger siren stood beside her.

'Angel was just briefing us on the information Zer0 had returned with' Lillith added as well, but not without giving Axton a sharp glare first. He had noted how protective the sirens had come of one another, especially the older two over the younger one, and he was smart enough not to come between them.

'Looks like we'll be off to my home planet' Maya said, her tone indicated she didn't know whether to be cautious or relieved.

'The Order of the Impending Storm obviously know more than what we would give them credit for' Montayva admitted.

'Stupid sons of bitches' Axton laughed.

'So when do we leave?' Brick stepped forward then, pounding a closed fist into the palm of his other hand.

'Woah, woah, woah, now hold up a minute Amigo. We're going to Athenas?' Mordecai asked hesitantly, 'How soon?' Lillith and Maya understood the meaning behind his question.

'No one said you had to go' Lillith said to the hunter. Axton gave Lillith a puzzled look.

'Why wouldn't he go?' Gaige spoke this time, out of genuine curiosity.

'Yeah, why wouldn't I go?' Mordecai added.

'They are assuming you would be staying here, with me' Montayva placed a hand on his shoulder.

'Er, why would Montayva be staying?' Gaige asked again.

'Look, we still have alot to plan' Lillith interjected. 'Who knows what will happen before time comes to leave this hell hole.'

Each nodded in understanding.