XVI (16)Or Not…

Protea

The container lid opened with a jolt. I squealed in terror, frightened initially by the dark beady eyes that peered excitedly at me. When I felt a heavy hand drag me out of the container, I fell limp, simply so that I could save my energy for the fight about to ensue. As soon as I was able, I wrenched my arm free and bolted upright, instinctively grasping for the switchblade I always kept in my boot. When I felt no grip, I parried my attacker's next lunge and raised my hands defensively. I prepared for the next strike, tensing my legs, preparing to kick. All of a sudden, Drakey lunged in front of me, holding out his hands before him.

I remembered where I was, and realized that the boy had jumped in front of me to stop Kruger. The commander and I both wore a look of surprise and confusion.

"Drakey…? Git out of the way, welpie, so I can make our new guest feel at home…" With that, Kruger shot me a disgusting leer. It was something I hated to say I was used to, but it still revolted me. I shot a snarl back at him and backed away slightly. I leant down ever so slightly to whisper at Drakey, "What are you doing, kid?"

"Don't hurt her, Kruga. Stay away from the girl." The courage on the boy's face and in his voice was undeniably admirable. The way he glared Kruger down reminded me of the way an omega wolf challenges an alpha. He stared down a hulking alpha with black eyes with the courage of a lion. I was thoroughly impressed at his valiance. "B-back-off."

It was there, when he undoubtedly faltered, that Kruger stepped forward and laid a hand on his shoulder. I thought for sure the child was dead. "Out of the way, Drakey. The grown-ups are to talk now. We need to discuss our… new guest's… seating arrangements," he slurred, eyes crawling up and down me deliberately slowly. "Isn't that right, miss? How'd you like to come share the captain's quarters with me, eh?"

"You don't touch her!" Drakey screamed, clearly agitated. It looked as if he were willing to die for me, which sent a strange feeling of warmth through me for the uncouth young boy. This outburst stopped Kruger, and he looked down at the boy with a stern look. It was not a malicious one, but a strict, frighteningly paternal one. He deliberated for a moment, and then sighed inaudibly.

"Fine." He looked to me. "Take a seat over thea," he growled as he pointed to the benches where I had sat once before, "and don't move."

He stalked away to bark at Crowe and the other pilot. Like an insolent child, I stood where I was, keeping a wary eye on the cobra and another watchful one on trembling Drakey. "That was a brave thing you did there, kid. I wouldn't suggest doing it again."

I took a willful seat after a couple more seconds of fiery Kruger orbs. I flicked my bangs aside and looked away from him. I was determined not to show fear this time and not give him the power of total superiority. When I felt comfortable, I looked to Drakey. "Thank you. You really saved my ass there."

He straightened out and returned to what I assumed was his normal self. "Well such a pretty one shouldn't be… You're welcome…" The blush in his cheeks betrayed his obvious crush. I laughed to myself and motioned for him to sit beside me. I did not ask Kruger for permission as I wrapped an arm around the boy's tensed shoulders. At least I knew this brave little cub was on my side. "How did you end up here then, hmm? In this pit of snakes…"

"Long story…" he whimpered. I didn't push him on the topic of his origin. Instead, I let him snuggle into my shoulder, as he seemed at ease lying against me, though he had just met me.

My eyes unwillingly searched out Kruger's, who approached as soon as our eyes met. He stalked over wearing the same leer he had on a moment ago. I remained stone-faced as he sat down a seat away from me. I kept my gaze locked with his, gritting my teeth against the natural fire of his coal-black orbs. The Raven gave a shudder as he spoke.

"Now… What's the reason you are on my ship, lass? Stowing away? You look pretty clean…" He leaned in and gave a deep inhale. I shuddered heartily. "Elysian then, eh? You wouldn't happen to know of a recently escaped hospital patient, considering it looks like you've recently been a patient."

I went rigid. His observation skills were wickedly sharp, I had somehow forgotten about that. I self-consciously covered my identity scar. Before I could effectively hide it, he grasped my arm and pulled it towards him. His breath was hot on my face, but for once it did not smell like dead and rotting meat. It was only slightly pleasant at best, oddly enough.

"New citizen, eh? And you're running away. Funny girl," Kruger sneered, flinging my hand away. A brooding look passed across his face. He turned away for a moment, and when he returned to glare at me, his eyes were glossy. "Stupid girl."

"What will you do?"

It was a simple question, and a maybe a stupid one, I asked when I found my voice again. I felt Drakey perk up from beside me, his skinny body tensing once again.

Kruger looked furious and his eyes darkened ominously. He glared at me from under dirty brown bangs, just as he did when we first met. "Speak again, girl."

"What. Will. You. Do. Agent Kruger?"

He bristled from discontent at my arrogance. Remembering his pendulum temper, I braced for a slap, cut, punch, kick, even a bite. When nothing came, I stared him down again, holding Drakey tighter for moral support. Kruger only laughed a tight, strained laugh. His lips pursed, pressing themselves into a harsh line beneath his beard. The corners of his eyes crinkled, pulling the skin on his razor sharp cheekbones up higher. I noticed now he had bizarre metal implants in both his cheeks and in his neck. My eyes trailed down his chest, lingering near the one unfastened button at the top. Sheepishly, I ripped my eyes away when they trailed further down his chest to his lap. I felt a flush of red across my cheeks and looked down into my lap.

"What's your name, girl?" Kruger suddenly snapped. Cautiously, I answered that I didn't know it, given the fact that I had just received a new identity. He snorted, but seemed to buy it, and I was fine until he asked what my name before was.

"I don't know. Some flower…" I mumbled quietly. Before he could question me again, Crowe barked a command at the other man. Kruger stood from his seat, growling again that I stay put. He conversed with Crowe for a moment before he hurdled back to Drakey and I.

"Git your seatbelts on! We're in for a bumpy ride."

Confused, Drakey and I looked at each other, until we felt the Raven buckle in the air, making our stomachs churn. We complied quickly and clicked our overhead shoulder belts to the ones between our legs. Kruger did the same, this time next to me. I heard a low, "sorry, safety first" beside me but I did not care. Crowe bellowed the name 'Abbott' from the cockpit, and the Raven suddenly lurched upwards and sideways. I grasped my belt with white knuckles. If there was one thing I hated more than Elysium, it was flying.

"Boss! We need to land!"

"Keep going, Crowe! Git us the fuck out of hea! Don't stop until you reach Malichitda. Do not disobey me."

In response, I felt the engines of the Raven roar louder than before, and I was pressed back into my seat from sheer speed. I felt like I wanted to vomit, but Drakey had beat me to it. The jump to hyper speed had all but squished the skinny lad. His face looked the same as mine; terrified beyond words.

The ride got worse as the ship ducked right, sending loose cargo tumbling across the hanger. With a sharp left, a large box filled with hell only knows what slammed into my legs. I yelped more out of surprise than pain, but the weight disappeared as Kruger gave a violent kick against the crate. I looked at him with honest gratitude, and with a nod of my head, returned to staring at my feet and trying not to vomit.

"Boss!" Crowe's distressed tone scared me. "We got to fucking land! Now!"

"Don't you—"

Before Kruger could finish his sentence, the Raven collided with something outside, sending a loud echoing sound through the hanger. A loud thundering reverberated through the ship, and eventually came to an end almost as soon as it had begun. All of us remained silent, thoroughly shocked from our less than smooth ride. Drakey was the first to stir, unlatching his belt and jumping over to the window. Kruger and I, more concerned with our own health, checked ourselves over quickly. Finding nothing broken, we both turned our attention to Drakey, who was staring wide eyed out the small window in the hanger door.

"You won't believe where we are…"

Curiosity overtaking me, I stood shakily from my seat, grabbing a nearby pipe above me for support. Kruger stood, wobbling only slightly, before stomping to the cockpit to unleash hell on his pilots. I heard him scream and bellow angrily as he demanded where we were.

I slid up beside Drakey, who was still peering out the window on his tip-toes. "Where are we?" I asked.

"Dunno…" he mused. "But it sure is white…"

I shoved the boy aside, who fought only briefly before surrendering his front row seat. I looked out the small window. My jaw dropped at the sight I held before me.