Adventures Aboard the Fortuna Prime (closed for guardianjohran)

[MissMonster]

“Ghost? GHOST.”

“HMMWHAAT?”

“….Did your bitch ass fall asleep?”

“…No.”

“For fuck’s sake Ghost. We’re on a mission!”

Ghost sheepishly laughed, running a hand over her hot pink locks. The alien teenager was to be keeping watch on the docked ships within Pollux’s bustling port while her cousin made a deal with a group of shady looking glob monsters in an alley. The year was 3065, an era of space travel, alien life, and exploration across a sea of stars. While space is a vast expanse with a variety of tales, our story begins with two teenage girls within the station of Pollux.

Sixteen year old Ghost, otherwise known as “Scolara Tchtelyan”, alongside her seventeen year old cousin Reaper, or “Anya Tchtelyan”, had been living among the various races of the urban space station. Originally from a planet torn by war, the girls were sent away at a very young age by their families to avoid the harsh realities of a losing battle. Space had shed light to a variety of different races and species, and the Wuvari were no different. A species known for their humanoid appearances alongside colorful skin tones, Wuvari are notorious combatants. Their planet had been engaged in civil war for nearly a millennia, but the war had taken new heights the moment they allowed humans among their kind. Reaper’s father was a human male, her mother a Wuvari. Like most half breeds, she was looked at with contempt.

It was an attempt to save their lives, a hope from both their families that the escape pod holding a cramp number of people would be eventually found by a station. Neither girl could forget the tearful goodbyes as their parents watched the pod launch into the air. They would remain on their planet, fighting this war till their last breath.

While their daughters, their nieces, their siblings…would be free from this hellish warzone.

Which brings us to Pollux, otherwise known as the center of commerce. The massive station never moved, housing more than a million humans and aliens alongside artificial nature. While it seemed like a mystifying place, Pollux had an influx of crime. It wasn’t long before they were swept up by it.

The girls were taken in by the station, raised in an orphanage with other alien children. At the age of twelve, Reaper decided she no longer wished to be commanded by superiors. She was always an aggressive girl, unafraid of speaking her mind or challenging others to exude dominance. While Ghost was the far gentler of the two, the bubbly pink haired girl could be equally ruthless. The two successfully started a riot within the orphanage, one that resulted in their expulsion from it.

On their own, however, is when the real fun began!

They started their descent into crime slow and easy, working with small, petty gangs until the gained some notoriety. That’s when they started “Reaper and Ghost’s Odd Jobs”, a business that helped pay for their dilapidated apartment. The girls did everything for a quick buck; from pushing drugs, to stealing, to grand theft. They were a menace in their own right, a nuisance to most wealthy, but respected by gangsters for their hustle. Reaper, with her horrifying mask and affinity for baseball bats, and Ghost, her cutesy cousin who slunk in the shadows until the time was right to strike.
Everything was going steady for a while…

Until Ghost found video footage of their planet on social media. In the background, she was sure she saw her mother. In disbelief, she showed the short video clip to Reaper, who agreed rather enthusiastically that that was indeed her aunt. And if their aunt was alive—surely her papa and mama were too?

Reaper devised a plan. They would steal a ship and take to the vast frontier until they found their home planet.

And this time, when they left, they’d take their families with them.

Thus, our story begins here…

With two young girls, bold and courageous in their own right, but naïve all the same.
Reaper frowned, snatching up the binoculars from her pink haired cousin. The blue haired girl resembled most Wuvari with her naturally teal hair color and eyes—but her skin was lightly tanned as if a Caucasian humanoid. She looked somewhat different from Ghost, her cousin’s skin a shade of pink, matching her hair and pastel colored eyes. Despite being teenagers still, they were both slim and tall, a genetic trait present in most of their kind.

“Do ya see anything?” Ghost piped up, resting her chin against Reaper’s shoulder. “Oh! N’ how did the deal go with the Gorbas?”

“Those slime balls are as gross looking as always. But hey…” Reaper smirked, lifting the binoculars from her eyes. “They gave us the goods.”

Ghost hopped up and down with glee, shuffling towards the large duffel bag. She unzipped it, gasping excitedly upon the contents inside. “Holy. Fuck.”

Within the duffel bag, were two luminous rifles promised to shoot lazers towards a target. The girls have been around firearms before—but to hold one? Ghost could only touch one with her long sleeve in disbelief. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”

“Yep.”

“Like we’re really bout to leave Pollux.”

“That’s the plan.”

“And steal a ship.”

“Hell yes.”

“Holy fuckin’ shit.”

“! Yo…I think we found one.”

“NU UH—“

“SSHHH.”

“…Oh sorry.” Ghost lowered her voice to a whisper, “Nu uuuuh! Lemme see!” Once Reaper handed the binoculars to her, the blue haired girl began to set up her mask over her face.

“Whaddya think they’re doin?”

“Prolly smugglin’. It’s a small voyager ship.” Reaper responded, zipping up her oversized blue jacket over the black body suit she wore. She placed her crimson snapback hat over her head, smirking beneath her mask. “They’ll be an easy target. Remember the plan, awrite?”

“Dude, dude. I’m so excited I feel like I hafta pee!”

“Well, better hope their little dingy has a bathroom then…c’mon.”

The girls grabbed their weapons, Reaper hiding hers beneath her jacket, while Ghost carefully hid hers in a large sweat grey sweat shirt. They walked beside port authorities, who looked rather bored. He regarded the girls with a yawn, figuring them to be nothing more but your average hooligan.

Mall cops was what they called them. Port authorities were the easiest to evade—which makes smuggling and sneaking aboard ships far easier than it sounded.

The girls moved stealthily by busy strangers within the efficacious dock. Often, merchants would set up shop around the dock in order to entice all those who first arrived. Ghost was sure to quickly snag some yummy looking fruit while a merchant tried desperately to sell his items to uninterested humans. All around them, people were shouting, speaking in various tongues and accents.

The ship they were targeting was one of the smallest in the area, nestled in the corner of Pollux’ rear docks. Reaper slipped behind a box with Ghost following suit, munching her fruit.

“Did you have to bring that along?” Reaper whisper yelled. “This is a serious mission!”

“But….I’m hungry.”

“Christ, it’s like I’m going on a mission with a freakin’ baby.”

Ghost stuck out her tongue.

The ship had the words “Fortuna Prime” engraved on the side of it. Reaper decided she’d have the name changed once they overtook it for themselves.

“The Grim Reaper”

Hmm…Ghost may not like that though.

Speaking of which, her pink haired cousin had long since finished her fruit, now plopping a blue pill in her mouth—wait a minute. “…Is that Elysium?”

“….Maybe.”

Elysium was the name of a popular street drug known for its euphoria, heightened energy, and lack of inhibition. Reaper reached out her hand. “Gimme two.”

The girls waited, pupils dilated and limbs jittery as one man entered Fortuna. A dark skinned fellow with quite the formidable physique. The girls exchanged glances, rock paper scissoring which one would have their gun pointed on that behemoth!

The next man, was a blond fellow who was flirting with some giggling bimbo. Reaper decided she’d rather die than faun over men like a pea brained broad.

“Ghost.”

“Yeah?”

“You ready?”

Ghost pulled her gun from her sweat shirt with trembling fingers. “Yeah.”

“Don’t shake like a little bitch.”

“I-It’s the drugs.”

“Uh huh….”

“You’re shaking too!”

Reaper blinked, glancing at her own fingers. Okay…to be fair…neither girl had done something THIS drastic! Be it drugs or nerves or a mixture of both—they couldn’t deny the fluttering excitement brewing within them.

Pea brain broad sauntered on by, and the tanned fellow began heading onto the ship.
With a glance at each other, Reaper nodded. As she prepared to pounce, Ghost whispered a, “Wait! …Should we pray?”

“….Pray to who? I’m an atheist!”

“Ah fuck it. Let’s get this over with!”

The two teens stood in unison, clutching their weapons as they moved hurriedly behind the captain of Fortuna. Reaper was first to indulge, her lazer rifle planted right for his back. “Don’t. Do. Anything.” Came her venomous voice. “Keep walking…now.”

As the two girls entered the ship, Ghost aimed her weapon for all those present: especially the darker skinned male.

She couldn’t help but gulp at his size. But the pink haired youth was not about to retreat! They made it this far after all! “Don’t move a muscle!” She growled. “Or I’ll slice a hole through your chest and watch your body melt into ash!”

Reaper gave her cousin a glance as if to say ‘Geez, chill out!’ In any case, her eyes were drilling holes in the back of the captain. “Here’s the deal boys….you’re gonna take us to where we wanna go. And if you dare show resistance—me and my companion here will not hesitate to shoot! Now close your ship. Hurry it up!”

Ghost couldn’t believe it—they were doing it! Oh man; what a dream come true!
Unbeknownst to the girls however…the guns their alien compatriots gave them…

Were duds.

[guardianjohran]

Jayson was only sport-flirting with the woman to pass the time as his men loaded up their cargo. He wasn't really that interested in her, but she was still a pleasant sort. So he did hate to see her go, when the deck hand gave him the thumbs up that all preparations were complete to launch. But, he did enjoy watching her walk away, as the saying went. That casual thumbs up from the man on the ramp was all the cue any of them had needed. His first officer, of sorts, Brock, waved his arms in a broad sweep and got everyone else moving. Hustling the crew aboard so the could get a move on. Jayson, or rather, Captain Hennessee, as he would be known as soon as the doors closed, turned and surveyed the port one last time. He smiled. It would be a while yet before anyone even noticed this load of ores missing. Still, might not be a bad idea to stay away from Pollux for a little while after the delivery was made. With a resolute nod, he turned and follwed his crew up the walk. He was about half way up the ramp when it happened. Someone jamming something into his back, presumably the barrel of a weapon, and whispering menacingly in his ear. He froze, for only a moment, his mind racing to figure out the situation. Determine the problem and how to solve it. But his logical mind was racing -literally- against another part of himself. A darker, weirder, more unbalanced side of his brain. And, it was that crazy bastard, that got to the finish line first.

"HA!" He laughed aloud with a start, as he began moving again. Not just walking as he had been, but now sauntering. Swaggering. "Don't do anything? Keep walking? Make up your mind man." He laughed again. Never the less, he *did* keep walking. Right up the ramp, and into the Fortuna's main airlock, where most of the crew was still waiting on him. He was actually humming a little tune as he moved now. But no, he wasn't honestly taking this situation as lightly as he seemed to be. He was half crazy, or maybe even more than half, but he wasn't stupid in the least. He understood how severe this circumstance was, but he also knew a few basic facts.

First, he knew that an angry fighter was a sloppy fighter. The mind is a weapon, that's why an intelligent person was referred to as being 'sharp'. And rage dulled that edge. Led to mistakes. If he treated this threat like it was an annoyance, or worse a complete joke, it would piss them off. Get them pissed off enough, they'd do something stupid and he could get control back in a hurry.

Second, he knew, or at least suspected, that the person jamming that weapon into his back, didn't know how to use it. No one who knew better would ever fire a blaster point blank. With it directly against him like that, there was no relief in the barrel, no where for the heat or excess energy discharge to vent. So whomever pulled the trigger would definitely kill him, sure. But they'd probably lose a hand, or a good bit of one in the process. His smile changed. No longer a jovial grin, but still a smile. But now that smile was something unkind, something unsettling. Rookies dared get involved in his score? This woman -he was pretty sure it was a woman by the voice- had no idea what she'd gotten herself into. He wondered if she'd live long enough to learn.

Once they were inside, and the woman called out her 'Don't move a muscle', Jayson immediately froze again, in mid step. Which caused the young woman with the gun to collide with his back in surprise.

"Oomph." He grunted and shook his head. "I thought I told you about picking one or the other and sticking with it!" He reprimpanded sharply. "Don't do anything. Keep Walking. Don't move a uscle. For fuck's sake make up your mind." A few of the crew were staring down the barrel of Ghosts weapon, but some of the others laughed along with their captain, as they listened to the barked out orders about how they were in charge of the ship now.

"Hey, uh...Captain?" It was the large, dark skinned man that spoke up. "Say, I don't want to ruin your day, but did you know there's a woman has a gun pointed at your back?" Brock wasn't stupid either. He'd either picked up on the Captain's strategy from seeing him seem to make light of the pair, or arrived at that as a plan on his own.

"I know. Isn't it exciting?!" Jayson laughed again. "Tell me something Brock. Since I'm not allowed to turn around." His eyebrows waggled as he spoke. "Is she pretty?" And he laughed again.

"Pretty <b>young</b> I'd bet, from looking at them." Brock smiled a flash of a smile, but then his face turned hard as stone again. He looked right at Ghost. Almost right through her. Was he really trying to intimidate the person holding him hostage with a gun? Was it working? Hell, if nothing else, it'd make her consider if a shot from her rifle would even be enough to stop a man like that.

"Ooooh. A pretty young thi-" Jayson had been smiling, but then his face fell. "-Oh... Wait. " He shook his head. "Well nevermind."

"Hard to guess their ages really." It was a female voice. It belonged to a woman leaning casually with her arms crossed, near the door control panel. "Hard to tell much of anything, what with them wearing masks like a couple of cowards." A lot of the crew looked human, or at least partly human. But there was no human to be found in this woman, she looked almost reptilian. Whatever she even was originally, there wasn't much of that left in her either, with all the cybernetics one could see on her. One arm, all the way to the shoulder was mechanical. And either the other hand was too, or she was wearing a thick armored gauntlet. One of her eyes glowed a dull red, and one of her legs also ended in a boot that was more thickly armored than the other, leading to the question of if one of her feet or legs was also synthetic.

"Now now, Cass." Jayson's voice was actually rather pleasant again. What the hell was wrong with him? Was he really okay with this? "Tell you what ladies." he finallyl addressed the two hostage takers again. "We're going to go ahead and close the outside hatch like you've asked. In return, I'd like for you to do something for me as well. Now, I don't mind you have a gun pointed at me. Hell, I like a cheap thrill as much as the next man. But I don't really care for the fact that your friend over there is waving hers around at my crew. That doesn't sit right with me. I'm the captain, and they're my responsibility, so I can't have anyone slicing holes in their chest, or whatever all that bullshit you just said." The words were taunting, but his voice was very measured, and even. "So. Cassie. Close the hatch." The woman did not look pleased with this decision, and the look on her face said she'd rather take her chances on a fight, than go along with this new development. But, she did follow orders, and the hatch hissed shut behind them.

"Well, ladies, you're trapped in here with all of us now..." She was almost hissing herself as the ship's air pressurization systems came online, stabilizing the airlock before unlocking the doorway into the ship at large.

"Well, heh." Jayson chuckled again. "Not quite how I'd have put it, ladies, but she isn't wrong. You've gotten this far. Now it's time to find out if you've got what it takes to go any farther. You've showed an incredible amount of guts up til now. But this is where the metal meets the meat, so to speak. So tell me, have you thought this through? Really thought it through. Did you know that ninety percent of any attack is in the planning? For example. There are two of you. You both have rifles. That's a good start. There are twelve of us aboard this ship. You didn't even check to see if any of us had any weapons on us. So that's not so good. Fortunately for you, we didn't want to arouse any uneccesary attention at the port, but that's more luck than planning on your part. Then there's your approach. Now, you've got one weapon on only me, and the other one holding back eleven people? Really? How fast do you think you can shoot. You'll get one, two of them max, before they overwhelm you. And that's if you even hit even one of them. Hell, you might not even be able to hit ME the way you're shaking, and you've got the gun pushed into my back. Which is point number three. You don't even understand that gun if you'd operate it like that. Only reason nobody's clubbed you over your head and tossed you outside yet is because we're assuming any idiot can at least find the trigger. Then there's the fact you've created a self sabotaging plan." He paused, for dramatic effect.

"So, lets say we do resist. Oh, I'll die for sure, right? Well, at least <b>you're</b> sure. But so will you, beceause we've already determined you can't actually kill all of us. Of course, lets say that you <b>did</b> somehow get lucky enough to kill all of us. Then what? Can you fly this rig? Are you a pilot? Either of you? I doubt it." He was actually lecturing them. Like children. What nerve. "If you could, you'd have stolen a ship off a dock no one was watching, rather than trying to hijack a whole crew. So, then we also already all know you can't actually follow through with your threat, because you need us alive." His smile returned, as the pressurization finished, and a soft -ding- echoed through out the room.

"So, I'll tell you what. I'm going to move a muscle. Hell, we're all going to move muscles. I'm going to turn around and if you shoot me, it's going to be face to face like a fucking warrior, instead of in the back like a coward. " And he did just that. He turned to face them. Not in a hurry, not with any urgency, just calm, slow movement. But if they were used to combat, they'd see it as he moved, that his posture was different. He'd meant his words, certainly. But they were a distraction. Listen to my voice children, instead of watching my body. His posture had changed. His muscles were coiled and waiting, he rested on the balls of his feet, his knees slightly bent. He wasn't going to try and strike them down just yet, but the second either of them so much as flinched, he was ready for war.

[MissMonster]

It was happening. It was reality. Once nothing more but a faint dream, a promise of reunion with families they’ve lost long ago. And here it was, unraveling right before their eyes. Ghost couldn’t believe it! The man they had in question was following their commands, albeit begrudgingly. But on the bright side, they were really doing this!

They were moving onwards to step two!

…What was step two again?

The pink haired alien teen was far more anxious than her blue haired cousin, especially upon the sight of the rather extensive crew inside. She inwardly groaned the minute she realized Reaper had her blaster set on the snarky blond…Ghost would be left with everyone else.

She truly wished they prayed before. There had to be some omnipotent deity within the expanse of stars that could foresee good fortune!

Now that she was here, the lithe teen was beginning to have an array of second thoughts.

Meanwhile, Reaper was not oblivious to the tension, especially not this sardonic male’s antics! She crashed into his back with a, “Oof—Bastard!” Her leg shot up, kicking the male forward. How dare he try to make fool of her!? The laughter of the others was not lost on her, her eyes narrowing beneath her mask. “It isn’t fucking funny! Next time you say something I don’t like…I’ll fuckin disintegrate you. Is that clear enough for you pretty boy?” The teal haired teen growled, willing her fast beating heart to silence itself. It was pounding so loudly she was growing afraid someone might hear. The drugs surely were a bad idea…

Reaper refused to believe this entire escapade was equally detrimental!

Ghost pointed her gun from side to side, silently hoping no one made any sudden movement. When the darker skinned male spoke, she ‘eeped’, pointing the lazer rifle right for his head. The words exchanged between the two made her less tense, albeit a bit confused. She glanced at her cousin however, who she just knew was seething underneath her covering!

In fact, Reaper was not as amused by the banter. She jabbed her blaster firmly against Jayson’s back, a low growl emitting from her throat. “You’re the captain of this shit huh? Don’t forget I have your life in my hands dumbass.”

"Is she pretty?"

“What the hell does that matter?” Reaper made a noise of disgust. Were these people for real?! Were they really not being taken seriously?

"Pretty young I'd bet, from looking at them."

“We’re not that young.” Ghost giggled a bit, though the minute the darker skinned male looked at her, her heart began to sink into the pit of her stomach! She drew in a breath, clutching her gun so tightly her knuckled seemed to lighten. “W-What’s with that look? Chill out bro!”

“Ignore them, Ghost. They’re trying to scare us.” Reaper was no stranger to being underestimated. The teens have been dealing with mobsters, thugs, police and even bitchy nuns. They weren’t at all afraid of some space pirates.

Or at least…Reaper tried not to be.

A sudden voice caught their attention, this time belonging to what appeared to be a cybernetically enhanced female…one that resembled that of a reptile. Her voice was cold as she spoke of the girls, and Reaper was none too happy. “Fuck off lizard bitch! You want to see my face? Cause it’d be the last thing you ever see!”

Ghost winced, gently lifting her pink, smiley face mask to reveal her dilated, large lavender eyes. “Geez lady. What’s your glitch? No need to name call or anything…”

“Oi, put your mask back on!”

“I’m not a coward though..”

“Ughhh…Ghost!”

Anyone with half a brain could tell the teenagers were nothing more but well…teenagers. They were irrational, reckless, lacked stability, and furthermore, were stoned out of their minds. Not that it mattered. Reaper would have dubbed her plan fool proof without the usage of Elysium. That’s how…delusional the seventeen year old could be. Before she could say another word to her pink haired cousin, the captain piped up once again. This time, his voice was sickeningly sweet, and Reaper could only glare wordlessly.

What was he playing at now?

Ghost slowly lowered her weapon, watching as the woman called “Cass” closed the hatch. She couldn’t quite put a finger on it, but something simply did not seem right.

“No, don’t listen to him! He’s going to attack us. They’re going to attack us.” Reaper gestured towards the ominous reptilian.

“H-How do you know Reaper? This guy seems k-kinda nice…”

“Ghost I am NOT doing this with you right now. Do you want to die here before we get to your mom?”

The sixteen year old gulped, shaking her head. And thus, she lifted her gun again.

When her cousin complied, Reaper’s attention remained on Jayson. “Not happenin’ old man. And I don’t much care for lizard breath over there, so next time she has something smart to say…tell her to say it directly to my face first.” The blue haired teen hissed, her finger dangerously on the blaster’s trigger. To her surprise, the man in question began to speak, though this time...his words seemed to garner it’s intended effect. It struck Ghost at first, whose on resolve was beginning to waver and wave with every passing second. Reaper hadn’t thought this all the way through. By the time he paused, Ghost could feel her legs beginning to quake beneath her. The girls have been in their fair share of scrapes, tussles, and terrible deals.

But had it all been luck that aided to their survival? Was this the one bad deal they wouldn’t leave unscathed?

“W-We should go…”

Reaper was far less forgiving. She had been gritting her teeth upon the captain’s sudden oration, her blue eyes glaring daggers beneath her mask. How dare he…how dare he speak to her that way? Question her…berate her…she was not going to stand for it!

The soft ‘ding’ of the pressurizer seemed to only heighten her already brewing anger.

“Bastard…” She began, only to be cut off by his final words.

"So, I'll tell you what. I'm going to move a muscle. Hell, we're all going to move muscles. I'm going to turn around and if you shoot me, it's going to be face to face like a fucking warrior, instead of in the back like a coward.”

Coward. That was the second time she heard this word within the Fortuna.

Reaper yelled something fierce as Jayson turned to face her, her free hand gripping her mask and tossing it across the room. She revealed her face, her fiery blue eyes, and her youthful appearance. She was going to show them that she was not afraid—she was half Wuvari, half human.

All powerful!

“Fuck your lecture and fuck your crew old man! You don’t know me or what the hell I’m about! But be warned…I ain’t the least bit afraid of you!” Reaper reacted so swiftly, not even she seemed ready to be bathed in what she expected to be blood and gore from the direct attack! She had never killed before, and the thought itself was maddening. But she would do anything to get to her family again. And if it meant making an example out of this mouthy captain, then so be it.

The minute the man fully turned, Reaper’s finger slammed into the trigger.

Ghost gasped, expecting something to shoot. They both did.

Unfortunately, nothing happened.

Nada.

Zilch.

Not a damn thing.

Reaper blinked. “You’ve gotta be fuckin kidding me? GHOST.”

“Uuuh…yeah?” Those goddamn gorbas! They should’ve known those cheapskates would take advantage!

“Fight.”

That’s all Reaper said as she took the blaster, attempting to pistol whip the unfortunately prepared male in front of her with a bold battle cry. Ghost seemed to wake up from her frozen stupor simultaneously, throwing the blaster towards the terrifying dark skinned man before her. With his eyes occupied on the dud of a weapon, she reached into her boot, pulling out her trusty little shank. In which she lovingly named ‘ittybitty’.

“You come any closer and it’s goin in your throat!” She warned, taking a precarious step backwards. “I-I don’t wanna do this…but if you hurt my cousin you leave me no choice!”

[guardianjohran]

The girl barked at Cassie to 'say it to her face if she had anything to say' and the reptillian cyborg responded with a hiss.

"I would, if you weren't afraid to show it. Her mechanical eye pulsed brighter and dimmer a couple of times and then returned to normal. For Jayson's part, as soon as he started to turn, he was ready to dodge in case
she really did have the guts to follow through with her plan. No sooner was he looking her way than he'd also bent his legs, rolled his body down, and dropped to a crouch. He reached the lowest point just as he noticed the young girl hammering that trigger down over and over.

To no effect.

So, either the two potential hostage takers didn't know how to use those rifles, or, more likely...

"The guns were a bluff! Kill them!" He issued the command, still down in the floor, but as soon as he realized the threat of getting shot wasn't real, he was rising to his feet. Not just standing up, but powering upward as if in a rising strike. and to accompany that motion, he whipped one hand
upward, fingers curled inward, heel of his hand outward, in a palm strike.

At the same time as he moved, everyone else moved. The leader of the pair had addressed her partner, and told her to 'fight' and so even she was moving. The other men and women in the hatch all took combat stances at once. Some had to push off the walls they were leaning on, others just assumed more agressive stances. The large, dark man that the one called
Ghost had kept her gun on for the majority of her time on board, actually looked a little sad as he clenched his hands into fists. Like he didn't want to hurt the girl. Two others though, looked all to eager. The first being the woman that was apparently called Cassie. Her tongue flicked out of her mouth, and her head bobbed, as she stepped away from the door hatch,
and continued right on toward the one called Ghost. Another, a man they hadn't noticed before, had apparently drawn a knife from somewhere on his person, and was walking toward where the two girls stood as well. He was human looking, with pale skin and a scar that ran from his forehead down
and crossed his entire face. One would think he would look unhappy, given the circumstances he was in, but no. His smile larger and larger, the closer he got to getting to use that knife of his. It was not a pleasant facial expression.

Would the girl called Ghost notice in the frackas that all the rest of the crew members seemed focused on her? None of them had made a move to assist their Captain. Almost as if every single one of these individuals was already absolutely certain of his victory against the other attacker.

All this in an instant as Jayson was in mid strike. But, as he got into striking distance, his facial expression suddenly changed. He was prepared to hit the hostage taker in the throat, put her down for the count, when suddenly he locked eyes with Reaper for an instant. And in that instance everything changed. His eyes widened in catharsis, and his body went slack. What would have been a palm strike devastating enough to collapse her wind pipe would end up as more of a shove as he took a step away from his opponent.

"STOP!" He took a deep breath. "Everyone stop! Don't kill them." He shook his head, as if trying to make himself believe what he was seeing. "My Gods. No. Don't kill them. They're just children." His voice wasn't taunting like it had been before. He wasn't calling them children to mock or denigrate them. He legitimately sounded sad. And at his word, everyone in the crew stopped moving.

Everyone but one. The pale man in all black was still walking toward Ghost.

"If they're grown up enough to mean to kill us, I'd say they're old enough to live with the consequences. Or, in this case, to not." He spun the blade in his hand as he smiled, seeing Ghost's little shiv.

"Lucas! Fucking stop." The Captain held up a hand. The knife wielding man took the order, but didn't look happy about it. And the captain went on. "We're a lot of things. But we're not child killers. We may not go by the Alliances rules and regulations, but there are just some things that aren't
okay."

Meanwhile, the dark skinned man had almost completely relaxed. He almost seemed relieved. Like he had been more distressed at the thought of having to kill the two, than with being held at gunpoint.

"Put that away, girl." Brock spoke to Ghost, spinning her little knife. "Can't you see the opportunity you're being given? Your little plan fell through. And you're still alive. Stop pushing your luck. You're worried about someone hurting your cousin? Whatever happens next, it's between her
and the Captain. You've got a better chance of staying safe... hell... a better chance of keeping her safe, if you stay out of it."

Jayson Hennessee, meanwhile, had taken a step backward, hands up in a combat stance, but the look on his face no longer one of anger, or violence. Determination was set in his eyes. Resolve. But, a sort of sad
determination.

[MissMonster]

Kill them.

Ghost felt her body grow hot with constricting pressure, her heart plummeting within her chest. No sooner had the command been issued did everyone began to rise from their position with sinister succession. Fear clung to her like a vice as her lavender eyes darted to and fro, unsure of which goon to focus on. She clutched her little shiv firmly, almost tight enough to lighten the skin of her hand. She wanted to grab Reaper and run, but how could she? They were trapped, forced to fight for their life or pay the consequence.

Her eyes were wide as she continued to move backwards, doing her best to calculate a plan within her frenzied mind. Ghost wasn’t use to fighting so overtly, not like Reaper who was far better fighting up close and personal. The pink haired girl was accustomed to combat in the shadows, using stealth to advantage.

But within the Fortuna, she was cornered. There was no shadows to slink into, no walls to scale.

Ghost was left wide open.

Her eyes went to Cassie first, deciding if she could dodge her, she could aim the shiv right for her leg.

But that would mean she’d lose her shiv in the process.

In her worried haze, she had finally noticed quite the foreboding visage of a man brandishing is own dangerous weapon. The blade was far larger than her ‘ittybitty’, and the expression she wore could rival that of most malicious criminals. Ghost bit her lip, she could feel the nerves detaching themselves from her every being as she continued to move backwards, jumping slightly when her back finally hit the wall behind her.
It dawned on her now…that the entirely of the Fortuna’s crew had their eyes focused solely on her! She fought to control her breath, but could do very little but slink to the floor in almost terrified acceptance of her fate.

Was this to be the end of her now? Her body felt frozen in fear as she slowly looked to her side. Her cousin, Reaper, was still fighting.

….She was still fighting.

Ghost bit her lip, forcing herself to stand on shaking legs. While everyone was advancing upon her, her eyes remained on the dangerous looking fellow with the nefarious grin. She grit her teeth, aiming the shiv as if a small dart for his neck.
“If I die here, I’m gonna at least take your ugly mug with me!” She shouted with renewed confidence.

“We ain’t gonna die!” Reaper responded to her cousin, a reassuring glance was all she could offer as she prepared to attack the captain. “Not before we get to where we need to go.” Was she delusional? Had she not seen the amount of people advancing on Ghost? Or was this her way of going out like a badass? Either way, Reaper was prepared for something. The captain may have dodged her weapon, but she was ready to deliver a kick right for his groin.

However…

As their eyes met, it appeared the captain had a sudden change of heart.

He issued a new command, this time to spare their life. Reaper paused in her movements, quirking a confused eyebrow.

Ghost—on the other hand—was quite relieved! It showed true as she sighed, though her eyes never left the pale man still approaching. “We…we weren’t going to kill you yanno!” She managed, despite her trembling. “Neither of us know how to fly.” Ghost decided she did NOT like this man one bit, and was just about ready to throw the knife at his eye when the captain forced him to cease walking. The girls exchanged a glance, and judging by Reaper’s readied stance, she was just about prepared to charge over there and tackle the man herself!

But…even though the captain showed them kindness…

Reaper hadn’t forgotten his humiliating words of earlier. The blue haired girl set her gaze on him once more. “You’re soft.” She uttered, swooping up her long teal locks into a high pony tail. “Your Casper looking friend over there is right. I was going to kill you without a second thought.”

“Okay but that wasn’t really according to plan though.”

Reaper ignored Ghost as she scrutinized the captain. “We might be just a couple of ‘kids’ to you….but let me tell you what I ain’t. A pussy.”

Ghost groaned inwardly. She knew where this was going. Reaper was going to fight him now…there was no doubt about it. She would have to help her.

That’s what family is for. And they were all each other had left.

Just as she was about to join her side, the darker skinned male she had previously worried about finally spoke up. Her lavender eyes widened upon his words, nibbling her lip.

“Ghost.” It was Reaper’s voice now. Her cousin was tossing off her large jacket, revealing the close-fitting black body suit she wore underneath it. “Don’t worry about me okay? This is between me and him.”

“But—“

“Nah, I got this fam.” She flashed her pink haired cousin a smile. “If one of those guys…namely pale face…acts funny? You gimme a shout.” She glared at that man with narrowed, vengeful eyes. “Hear that pig? After I beat your captain…you’re next.”

Ghost always admired Reaper’s ego, her confident stride as she faced the captain…and she wondered idly if her cousin was dropped on her head as a baby. With a concerned exhale, she placed her shiv back in its sheath to cheer (and pray) for her cousin’s battle. She stood a ways from the other crew, namely out of mistrust. Still, she couldn’t help but sneak a glance towards the tall, darker skinned man. Out of everyone here, despite being rather formidable, he seemed the most ridden in compassion.

She had to wonder why.

“Go get him Reaper!”

Meanwhile, Reaper was prepared for war.

Her blue eyes narrowed into slits as she scrutinized the captain up and down. Gone was his prior blood-thirstiness, replaced with something the teenage girl couldn’t quite place.

“If I beat you…this ship is mine.” Regardless, she was going to fight him. Balling her hands into fists, the young half alien went running for him with a scream of exertion. She didn’t have her usual weapons, her baseball bat was broken on the head of some drug dealer yesterday. But she still had her fists!

She hopped a little as she went to strike, aiming her knuckles for the captain’s jaw. Reaper had been in street brawls most of her life; fighting for herself, fighting for Ghost, fighting for their survival. Her style was a wild, unhinged mess of brutally attempting to garner the upper hand with frantic, quick collisions.

Reaper was ready to show the captain and his crew just what she was made out of.

[guardianjohran]

"When you...." Jayson laughed out loud again. He couldn't help it. "When you beat me, you get control of my ship." He smiled. "Sure. I'll extend that offer. Why not? Though, if you were a little smarter you'd have mentioned a condition in there about the rest of the crew not tossing you off into the void when 'your' new ship gets moving." And with that, suddenly she was screaming, and charging him. He sighed, and shook his head a little, skipping back a step to prepare for her charge.

"You call yourselves 'Reaper', and 'Ghost'." The pale man, still spinning the knife, laughed. "How fucking ridiculous."

"That coming from a man who goes by 'The Gallows Walker'? " Brock cast an odd eye at their more violent crew mate. "You don't have a lot of room to talk, do you?" The large, dark man laughed, and oddly, despite the situation, it was a happy sound.

"Fuck that trash." The pale skinned man shook his head again. "I earned mine. You and Jayson only survived your own deaths one time. I've been executed by the Allied Intergalactic Navy six times. Six. And I didn't start calling myself The Gallows Walker. They did."

Jayson, meanwhile, was sidestepping Reaper's rush.

"An angry fighter is a foolish fighter." He spoke, lecturing her, almost coaching her, even as she attacked him. "You rush in, you make mistakes. The best offense is a good defense." But, Jayson was no fool. He didn't assume her offense was so simple as a rushing in haymaker. He stepped to the side, but his first dodge was almost nothing but a feint. She expected him to dodge the obvious attack, so she'd no doubt have a second attack ready, one to play into her feint. So he was only giving her the movement she wanted to see, so he could draw her into making her secondary attack. He was ready to intercept this one, to move inside her reach as soon as she telegraphed any sign of her next move.

"You know, I think it's funny." The one called Lucas said to Ghost, finally putting away the big knife. "You and your cousin over there, you act so big and bad. You're so mean. So dangerous. Your cousin goes and calls the Captain 'soft'. But, you two don't seem to like me much, either, do you?" He chuckled. "You don't get it? You're not laughing at the joke?" He smiled. It wasn't a happy smile. It was mean, cruel, like he knew his words were going to hurt her, and he wanted them to. "Keep going the route you're going? Kid, I'm what you grow into."

-and there it was-

Her tackle, as he'd suspected, wasn't her true attack. A punch to the jaw. If it connected, it'd rock him. Shake his brain in his skull. Fortunately then he had no intention of letting it hit him. He was already moving. His initial dodge backward and to the outside had left him just in the perfect attack rage. But he was expecting something like this, so he hadn't ever planted his feet there. He bounced at this new position, and immediately dropped to a crouch and launched himself inside her attack range.

"And don't ball your fists. Punching is more dangerous to you than it is your opponent. Curled fingers break. Break your fingers and you're out of the fight." And as he spoke, as if illustraging his words he turned his own fingers away , lining the heel of his hands up with the ends of his forearms, and driving them toward her stomach to knock the wind out of her.

[MissMonster]

Reaper was sure she hated the captain. From his arrogant laughter to the teasing of just moments prior, he reminded her of all the thugs and gangsters back on Pollux who saw her and Ghost as nothing more but little brats. Those people would be proven wrong steadily, and she longed to wipe that smile off his face with a fist. “Enough chatter—shut up and fight!” She blurted out before launching her attack, not wanting to hear another word uttered from the male’s lips. Toss her into the void? Fine, they can damn well try!

Ghost watched her cousin with bated breath, only taking her lavender eyes from the battle to regard the eerie pale face man. She grimaced at his words, scrutinizing the large knife he carried. “I bet you only carry that big ass knife around because you’re over compensating for something.” She grumbled, though the ridicule seemed lessened when the darker skinned male countered his prodding with a jovial grin. As terrified as she was of him earlier, Ghost found his expression to be strangely comforting. As if everything was going to be…alright.

“Yuck—and you think our names suck.” She smirked, though finding “The Gallows Walker” to be rather fascinating. Just who were these guys anyway? “You avoided death only once? Sheeesh…noobs.” She said this in half jest, though she weren’t entirely lying! She and Reaper had been through plenty near death and hazardous scrapes in their short lives already! She idly wondered if this moment would be no different. Ghost wanted to ask more questions, curiously regarding Brock with wide, interested eyes.

But the sound of the fight brought her back towards it.

"An angry fighter is a foolish fighter."

Reaper growled something low and dangerous at that, if the blue haired alien teen appreciated the lectures, her face surely showed otherwise! “Shut up already!”
Ghost twiddled her fingers, a longing to help her cousin evident on her face. Reaper was the more aggressive of the two, but more often than not they worked well fighting together! And it was obvious this captain and his crew were practiced in their craft. But she knew her cousin….Reaper wasn’t going to cease and desist.

It was that devil’s pride in her.

"You know, I think it's funny."

Ghost groaned, slowly turning to face the one called Lucas. “What now?”
The pink haired teen regarded his words, a confused expression on her face. “Well…yeah we don’t like you. You were about ta chop me up into pieces and eat me or something like five seconds ago…”

Just what was he getting at?

"You don't get it? You're not laughing at the joke?"

“If this is an attempt at humor—please don’t quit your day job. I don’t think comedy is your forte.”

Ghost grimaced at that sickeningly sweet smile, a smile that seemed to radiate all sorts of sinister, nefarious malice in one evil grin!

"Keep going the route you're going? Kid, I'm what you grow into."

It was almost as if Lucas dropped a microphone at the end of his statement, Ghost’s discomfort evident on her face. Her eyes widened as she considered his harsh comment, her eye brows furrowed in a look of muted horror.

Was he…right?

As much as she wanted to say something to this—anything—Ghost found herself rigid within her own thoughts. No…No he was wrong!

She turned to Lucas now, her lavender eyes almost on fire. “No….you’re wrong.” Her voice was soft at first, slowly raising as she suddenly, and boldly, bridged the space between them by walking towards him. “You’re wrong an’ I’ll tell you why! Not only are me and Reaper way prettier than you—but we have a way out of this freakin’ hell! You think we wanna be criminals? You think we wanna spend half our days not sure what the fuck we’re gonna eat and the other half planning robberies? Like…okay, we’re young blablabla…sure we’re on drugs right now and yeah—this plan is stupid! But we had no other choice! We juss’ found out our parents might actually be alive on our home planet.” She felt her eyes water with tears, but she blinked them away as her fury heightened. “Parents I haven’t seen since I was a child! Finally we have a shot at having a normal family again—just so we don’t have to end up like pathetic, sadistic fucks like you!” Ghost’s own words felt foreign to her as she spat them, clenching and unclenching her firsts as she spoke them. It was almost the first time she had truly acknowledged her and Reaper’s mission—and as she brought forth her plans, she realized just how badly she wanted them. How dare he assume she was nothing more than a juvenile delinquent? As if she chose this existence?

Ghost yearned for normalcy. Sure, their adventures on Pollux were fun in their own right, but the teen no longer wanted to live this way. It was her main reason for even agreeing to Reaper’s faulty schemes.

She’d do anything for the stability of a family she once had.

While Ghost was fighting her own “battles”, Reaper was enduring the captain’s readied stance. Her blow did not connect, and instead, Jayson crouched lower. Just as the fiery teen were about to send a kick to his cranium, the captain’s continued lecture sparked her already brewing anger. And as she said before…her anger easily clouded her judgement.

“Didn’t I tell you to pipe the fuck down old man--!” She began—only to be swiftly cut off by the piercing strike of Jayson’s hand against her stomach. The blow was enough to box the air out of her, and immediately the lithe teen’s arms went for her stomach. Her body lurched forward as her eyes widened, quivering as she fought to regain her composure.

“Oh no…Reaper!” Ghost had turned away from the crew now, her eyes back on her cousin. Her voice was ridden in concern, an edge indicating how badly she wished to help. All she had to do was creep up behind the captain….and…

“N-No! I’m…fine.” Reaper breathed, straightening herself with tenacious, narrowed eyes. With a look of animosity clear in her face, the determined teen got right back into a fighting stance, despite the ache in her gut. She said nothing now as she aimed a kick right for his chest, and although her fighting spirit hadn’t left her, anyone could tell her attacks were far less spirited.

[guardianjohran]

The man called Brock actually looked sad at Ghost's words.

"No, young lady. No one here honestly believes you have a choice. At least not at large. No one believes you want this kind of life. Not even Lucas if he's honest about it. Why do you think you're getting the kind of slack you're getting? And don't make a mistake. You are. The Captain is locked up hand to hand with your cousin. He hasn't drawn any of his own weapons because he'd rather not kill her. No one has so much as struck you. Or even taken your little poker away from you. And it's because we know. Because we don't know what you're up to, or where you want to go. But we know enough. We know you're here because you don't see any other way out. Same reason any of us are here. Because we've tried to do it the right way, and all you get for it is hurt. Killed. You get to watch your family and friends die." It was amazing how no one else in the ship seemed to have any concern for the fight going on in front of them. They were very assured of the outcome. None of them had ever even second guessed whether or not their Captain would win. A lot of them had even gone back to leaning. Watching. Almost bored. Brock was the only one who continued to engage the girl known as Ghost. And his conversation wasn't hostile, or confrontational. He was casual. Calmly trying to get through to her. He wasn't addressing her in a urgent voice either. It wasn't to talk her down, or to try and deescalate the situation. He seemed genuine when he spoke. There wasn't an angle. In amongst all this chaos, with Reaper and Jayson fighting it out, knowing the two had tried to force their way aboard at gunpoint, despite *all of that*, Brock was just talking to Ghost. Like an equal, like they were just two people with something to discuss.

Jayson, meanwhile was in the middle of a fight.

"You keep telling me to shut up." Jayson spoke between measured breaths. "But what you're doing isn't working." He circled her as she recovered from having her diaphragm struck. "Maybe just TRY doing any of the shit I'm suggesting? Hell it's not like you could be doing much worse right?" He chuckled. "At least the pink one seems to have some sense. You could learn a thing or two from her." But no sooner did he compliment the girl called Ghost than she moved like she mean to make herself involved in the fight. He turned to cast an eye back at her.

"Please let us deal with this between ourselves. If you get involved the fight gets more dangerous, and it gets harder for me to restrain myself from using a dangerous amount of force. Attempting to help your companion at this point would do her more harm than g-urmph." His address to Ghost was interrupted as he tried to throw up his arms and block the incoming kick from Reaper. But with her speed, and the fact he was distracted, he wasn't entirely successful. He may have lessened the impact to a small degree, but the kick still had something like the same effect on him that his own heel handed strike had on her moments ago. He was winded, and gasped to get the breath back in his lungs. Something was different about her now. She wasn't fighting to prove a point anymore. She was fighting to win the fight.

But, something was different about him as well. It was a small, almost imperceptible difference if one wasn't looking for it. Instead of the 'prizefighter' style stance he'd had before, when he recovered he wasn't bouncing on his heels, wasn't posturing, or lecturing. He was still in a fighting stance, but his body leaned in, his shoulders lower, his hands no longer tucked into any kind of martial arts fighting stance. There was something odd, abnormal, almost feral about this posture. He was still smiling, but it wasn't a kind, friendly gesture. It wasn't the look of a man who was enjoying himself. Or, more pointedly, the look on the face of a man whom if he *was* enjoying himself, certainly someone else was not. He'd been trying to hold back with the teenager out of some sense of sympathy. But that strike had woken him up. Shaken loose something in his head. A fight was a fight after all.

He advanced. That was new. Up to this point, ever since the girls had come on board, through all the talking, all the fighting, he'd been playing the counter-puncher. Being reactionary. Letting the girls make their moves, their plays, and responding. Now he actually took the fight to her. his movements were quick, and almost random. He didn't advance smoothly, or with any pattern, but just shuffled his feet this way and that as he moved. When he was in range, he lashed out with a quick right jab, aimed right at her face. Not a boxer's strike, but a motion more like he was whipping his arm outward. If it connected, it would be a decent blow, but a very damaging one. It was meant as a distraction. Actually, it was meant as a distraction whether it connected or not, as he used the opportunity he would be afforded by her focusing on the punch, to maneuver his left arm around low to strike at her body. This, in another whipping motion, was a chop with the ridge of his hand targeted at her side/back, just above the waistline. There were enough organs there to make a strike effective. Especially since he followed through on this one with his entire body, moving well inside her reach at this point. And with the way *that* motion concluded... was even the body shot designed as his main goal? Or just a further feint? After all, his 'follow through' had left him with his right foot between her feet, his leg bent, his heel set almost against one of her own feet, as if his next move was to hook her leg with his own for a take-down.

[MissMonster]

Ghost nearly jumped when Brock addressed her, though she hadn’t forgotten his prior kindness. And so, despite her narrowed eyes, she listened to his words. She wanted to interrupt him, say anything—but the pink haired girl knew he was right. It was that realization that sent her back into silence, the sleeves of her sweat shirt overlapping her fingers as she nervously fiddled with them. By the time she had finished talking, Ghost had turned away from him, shaking her head slowly from side to side. In a way, she wanted to agree with him….her and Reaper had made a terribly irrational mistake, and they were paying the price for it. And if they were to continue down this dark path, what would they end up like? Just minutes ago, Reaper had a blaster pointed to their captain’s head and was actually ready to KILL him.

Ghost thought this would be nothing short of their usual intimidation, hell, they both thought they were dealing with a bunch of no teeth, bumpkin pirates…

They were naïve.

Brock’s tone wasn’t meant to combat her, and his lack of hostility made her wonder just how a guy like this ended up here anyway. Sure, he was big and…er…rather scary. But he wasn’t about to obliterate her either, even though she and her cousin posed a possible threat not too long ago. She was confused by his act of mercy—but seemed to welcome it as well. It wasn’t common to meet those willing enough to compromise or even spare them. The girls had nearly lost their lives on various occasions from the other side of the coin.

Ghost was prepared to deal with people like that. People like Lucas. She had ammunition for days in her head, a fighting spirit just as unbroken as Reaper’s. But Brock was….nice.

And Ghost had grown uncharacteristically silent, unsure of what to say or even do.
The lavender eyed alien teen glanced around the ship, somewhat astounded by the indifference the rest of the crew exhibited. And then her eyes went on Reaper.

This was a losing fight.

“You’re an asshole!” Reaper snapped as the captain circled her, clenching her fists by her side. “Like hell I’d listen to you! I’m going to wipe that stupid smug smile off your fucking face!” And Reaper meant every word she said, her blue eyes impassioned with promise.

Ghost was yearning to help, hell, she felt her feet moving towards the two fighters involuntarily! But she paused as the captain addressed her, even a little shocked at the prior complement. “All that shit aside…really? You think I have more sense? Nice.”

Reaper shot her a quizzical look before her eyes glared daggers at the captain. She was gearing up to attack again…and this time she was fixing to really harm him.

Ghost had helped in one way or the other. As the captain turned to towards her to warn her to stay put. The pink haired girl froze in place, noticing Reaper in her peripheral. She said nothing as her cousin planted a kick hard enough to wind him.

And although she rather liked Brock thus far…

Any enemy of Reaper was an enemy of hers too. And so she cheered for her cousin, ignoring the silence everyone else on board produced.

Brock was right about one thing: He didn’t know what they were up to. Not even she knew.
But she’d have her cousin’s back till the end.

“HA! How’s it feel little bitch?” Reaper breathed, bouncing on the balls of her feet with slowly regaining confidence and vigor. How could she know she had awakened the beast laying otherwise dormant? Ghost had barely noticed, and wouldn’t have if she didn’t have her eyes directly on Jayson! There was something….strange about his mannerisms. The teen just simply couldn’t place it…

And then she gazed at his face. His smile. It sent shivers down her spine, and she found herself backing away indirectly. She bumped into Brock with an, “Oof,”—turning around sharply with widened eyes. “S-sorry…”

Ghost was scared. And she had no idea how to warn her cousin otherwise.

Reaper’s little victory was short lived as the captain went charging for her! She immediately tried to prepare, unsure of his next movement. His constant shuffling made it difficult to gauge however, and before she even knew it, his arm was whipping towards her face! She caught the jab a bit too late, narrowly attempting to dodge by moving her backwards. While it may have lessened the initial impact, it still connected with her cheek sharply, and Reaper found herself staggering backwards. Just as she was ready to charge at him herself, the captain had inserted himself within her space, a hand slicing through the air and connecting with lower torso. She made a noise of both rage and pain, her eyes grimacing from the collision.

The noise of her cousin’s wrath filled scream made Ghost bite her lip. She wanted to run in there…she wanted to do something! She couldn’t just stand there!

“Please! Stoppit!” She finally couldn’t take it much longer. “We’ll go, just stoppit! That’s what you shitheads want right? We’ll freakin go!”

“NO!” Reaper breathed, an elbow trying to futilely collide with her opponent. “We…are not…leaving!” To most, Reaper looked as if she were about to throw a tantrum. Her eyes were filling with furious tears, her face red with animosity. She was unaware of his next movement, too blinded by her intense anger to properly counter him.

[guardianjohran]

Brock's eyes widened. He recognized the difference in Jayson's movements. The two were more than friends, they'd grown up together, they were practically siblings. And despite his imposing size now, Brock had been a small child. More particularly, a small child of mixed heritage. Being only half human, Brock had been picked on a lot. His older brother Cole had stood up for him when he could, but Cole was also being groomed by their father to take over his role and manage their trading company. So he couldn't be around all the time. And in those times, it was Jayson who'd always ended up standing up for him. Very often in situations where it was only the two of them having to stand up to an entire class worth of other kids. And it wasn't like Jayson and Brock had ever won those fights. The two of them against as many as fifteen or sixteen opponents at the same time. No, they always limped home beaten and bruised. But none of those bullies had ever made it home without some kind of reminder of their fights either. And even as Brock got bigger, and stronger, often a lot of those injuries came as a result of Jayson's temper. He always tried to get them away without fighting, but if push ever came to shove, if they couldn't get out of it, if violence was ever the only option they had, his friend, his brother, fought like a demon. He was ruthless. Violence personified. And Brock was watching his brother slide back into that persona now.

"Jayson." He spoke softly. Trying to snap him out of it, to bring him back into his mind.

"Captain." The urgency of his voice increased along with the change in title. Maybe he needs to be reminded of who he is. Who he wants to be. And as he was trying to gain that attention, he felt the girl called Ghost back into him. He raised an eyebrow.

"You see it too, don't you? You feel it. How frightened must you be, that'd you'd run into the midst of us to get away from him." He sighed. "And you're not wrong. This is not good.

"Bullshit." Spat Lucas. "About damn time is what it is. Actions have consequences kiddo. You guys came in, and threatened us, with your little toy guns. You called Brock and Jayson soft because they're the two people on board that didn't want to kill you? But answer me this. Why in the hell, do you think, this room full of killers, a dozen people who'd have sooner cut your throat than listen to your cousin's little speeches, stopped in our tracks? Huh? Why do you suppose that is? Those of us you don't like because we're too violent, too mean, too much like what you don't want to admit you're going to grow up to be, and that man right there, the one you called soft... He said 'jump' and everyone in the room just said 'how high?' You didn't think that was weird? Didn't stop to consider that maybe the reason that supposedly soft-hearted teddy bear over there is in charge is because he might actually be the most dangerous man in the room? No. Of course not. Because there's no way something might not be exactly what it appears, right? Because that'd mean you might not be the big tough gangsters you think you are. You might just be scared little girls."

"Lucas shut up." Brock cut him off. "We can't let Jayson kill her."

"I can. Besides, you think we can stop him if he really means to?"

"I think it will destroy him when he comes back to his right mind if he learns he murdered a child in his anger."

"Not his fault. He was doing what he had to do. Hell, if anything it's the pink one's fault there." Lucas snorted. "Cap was holding back on the poor girl until he got distracted. She steps up like it's suddenly two on one, he gets distracted, and takes a shot that reminds him he's in a fight." He was getting glared at by Brock, but the pale man went on chuckling.

It was at this point that Jayson's short burst movements and random posturing turned into offense. His jab had connected, and likewise the body blow. But he wasn't actually paying any attention to which blows landed, as he was only interested in using each attack in line, whether successful or not, to mask or distract from the next one in line. His right foot was planted on the inside of her right foot, and just to the back. He'd stepped inside of her striking distance when she was trying to block his other attacks. He'd also taken a sharp elbow strike in the process. He dimly registered that the girl had probably cracked a couple of his ribs, but not all of him was in there right now to care. He yanked backward with the foot that was trapped in her instep, with the goal of sweeping her leg out from under her, to put her on the floor. And he still didn't stop moving. He continued to pull his leg in and up, raising his foot as he moved. Sure the motion was a serious telegraph, and might leave him open to a counter, but at this point it could also be a killing blow - as he raised his foot to stomp on her skull if he managed to put her on the ground.

But that was all Brock could take. He knew his 'brother' wouldn't *want* this.

"JAYSON!" Brock almost shoved Ghost as he moved past her. No malice in it. His frame was just too big to get around her, as he actually got close enough to Jayson that he couldn't be ignored. "Remember we don't kill kids!" And finally he did catch his attention, as Jayson seemed to pause, in mid motion, blinking at Brock.

"We're the shit heads?" The lizard woman spoke again. "You're worried about your companion's safety? Afraid Captain Hennessee is going to kill her? Why do you think he's fighting her in the first place! You come into our ship, you threaten our family, and then we're somehow in the wrong for your actions? We didn't invite you here. You got yourselves into this. If you want to blame someone, find a fucking mirror."

Jayson was starting to breathe heavy. To stand upright again. He slowly lowered his foot back to the floor of the ship, and took a step back from where Reaper was.