Hands Of Fate

Hands Of Fate

Even though she had come back early from her mission, she wasn’t about to let the council’s decision stop her dream of exploration in the Cassana Galaxy. The dream had just sparked her to go on with her crusade. Her entire future was riding on the decisions of seven council members. Kitara had seen her mother, and she had heard with her own ears of the destiny of herself, and her people, whoever they may be, and she wasn’t about to stand by and watch the council ruin it.

Standing before the video-screen in her quarters, she took a deep breath, and said, "Send request." The computer beeped in recognition, it’s light flashing, the screen went blue, waiting for the transmission to be accepted. The council had a lot to do, but Kitara knew that they would accept her call. She was Ambassador to over half the Alliance.

Surely enough, the call went through, the seven members of the council sat before her, each in their station colors. "Ambassador Ryan. We were not expecting you to summon us so soon. We hope you have recovered from your ordeal properly." One of the members said, a man with graying hair, known only as Sir David.

A younger woman, Lady Lynn, spoke next. "For what reason do you call upon us, my child?"

"Ladyships, Sirs, I stand before you to once again plead the case of the exploration of the Cassana Galaxy." She stood, completely still before them while they conversed for a moment, obviously, there was tension between them. Although she couldn’t hear what they said, it took only a moment for her to figure out that Lady Lynn, Sir David, and Sir Paul were not against the movement into the galaxy. However, they were overruled by the remaining four.

After a short debate, and a heated conversation, from the look on Lady Lynn’s face, the sound blinked back on. "We cannot agree to the movement of exploration, Ambassador. Have a pleasant day." He looked at her, she hadn’t nodded, hadn’t acknowledged that she had heard him. "Ambassador?"

But she wasn’t there, she was drifting somewhere between the two planes, her eyes distant, her breath shallow. Sir David called her name several more times, they were unable to get any response. The cornea of her eyes slowly rolled upward, they lost sight of her pupil then. Still, she did not move. Finally, she blinked, and they found themselves looking into her icy eyes.

"Beings of the esteemed council of the Alliance. I have waited my entire life for an answer to the questions that plagued the recesses of my mind." She didn’t move, simply spoke, she had them entranced in the meaning in her voice, the sturdiness that they had never before heard. "I have cried myself to sleep for eleven years, not knowing if the most incredibly horrible dreams that anyone has ever experienced will awaken me, or if I shall never awaken at all. I have seen things in my dreams that would destroy any one of you had you seen them." She looked right at Lady Lynn, "But last night, I did not dream of these unimaginable horrors, last night I saw her…" Her eyes met the woman’s, the orphan of the council. "I saw my mother." The woman gasped, her eyes wide. "I saw, for the first time, the love in her eyes, my eyes… I saw her smile at seeing me, older, healthy, loved. I saw the pain at letting me go to live, while she stayed behind and died. She gave me her love, and I have to live with only seeing her that once, but I will be damned if I let the rest of my race live without knowing what happened to me. And I will be damned if I don’t find them." She stepped closer to the monitor, "And I can do this your way, with the Alliance behind me, or I can leave you and your people in the lurch, against races that you could never communicate with, and possibly die. My fate is in your hands." There was silence in the council room. "Think about it. Ryan out." The screen turned dark, and she smiled to herself.

W

The medical offices were located on the third deck, just above the habitat ring, where the crew lived. Blaze had been working there most of his life, Amanda said he was born with a medical book in his hand. As a child, he had loved doing research on every disease imaginable, and when Kitara was found, he would take readings, measurements, try to figure out everything about her extremely unusual bodily systems.

Now, he was sitting at his massive desk, his computer screen before him displaying the readouts from three out of the four thousand one hundred five times he had taken notes on Kitara after dreams. In his hand was the most recent one, from the space station. He had always asked her permission before, but this time, he had just taken it from the blood he had gotten from the towels.

The pressure count was higher then anything he had ever encountered, her brain functions were low, and her immune system was crashing. After she had fallen asleep on his couch, he had taken another blood sample, which he then pulled out. The reading on that sample were unbelievably level. Each function was how it was supposed to be, each count of the systems perfect. She was calm, serene, unworried. Everything was suddenly right. Maybe she had seen her mother, maybe she really was beginning to unravel her past.

The door opened and Amanda Ronin walked in. She carried with her the customary air of patience. For the entirety of her life, Amanda had been calm, cool and collected. When Blaze had been younger, he had tried his hardest to get her to raise her voice, but to no avail. She would always speak calmly, much like Kitara. "What is the emergency, son?" She asked, sitting in one of the chairs before the table.

Blaze gathered his material, placed it on the big view screen behind him, and turned to look at his mother’s expression. Her emerald eyes grew large, and she blinked. "Son, these are Kitara’s readouts from years ago." He nodded. "Why did you pull them out now?"

"What is this?" He asked, pointing to a fluctuation in her archaic count from ten years before.

She stood up, and walked over, "That’s a missing archaic cell," she said, after a moment.

"What is that, then?" He pointed to another change in an eight year old cord.

Again, Amanda scrutinized the readout before her. "A group of missing cells."

"Good," Blaze placed on the screen several of the readouts from their time with Kitara. Each had more and more archaic cells missing. "Throughout the years, as the dreams continued, her archaic counts got lower, and lower." Amanda nodded. "Well, this was the most recent one I took, after the display on Celestial Force." He put it up on the screen. "What do you see, Mother?"

Amanda gasped in fear at the cord on the screen. There were only about seventeen archaic cells left in Kitara’s body. She looked to Blaze, who nodded. "This can’t be true. It can’t be, Blaze!" Her son nodded again. "You weren’t overreacting when you told me of that dream." She looked at him, he had an unsure expression, one that she rarely saw. He was uneasy about something. "What is it?"

"There’s more." She sat back down, her eyes filled with concern. "Last night, Kitara fell asleep on my couch. When she awoke this morning, she was bubbly and cheerful. I took a reading of her in her sleep mother, and again when she woke up." He pressed a button, on the screen, his readings showed up. "You see, while she was sleeping, her archaic cell count raised into the thousands." Amanda stared at the screen in disbelief. "And when she awoke, her archaic count was well into the millions, almost completely reconstructed." He looked up from his screen. "She says she saw her mother. Her real mother. That she explained to her that her destiny was at hand. Maybe that had something to do with it. She was peaceful all night, not even a muttered ‘help’."

Amanda looked at the screen, then back at Blaze. "Do you know what this means?"

Blaze nodded, "She doesn’t need me anymore." He looked down. "Mother, if you will excuse me, I would like to finish the report to send to Headquarters." Amanda nodded, sadness in her eyes, grief that her son wouldn’t share his thoughts with her, but she knew he would, when he was ready, so she left the room.

W

Kitara was searching all over for Blaze, no one seemed to know where he was, and he wouldn’t answer his view screens. She had checked the holographic deck, his quarters and the mess hall. The only place she hadn’t checked was his offices, but he hadn’t been there for months. Most of his work was done in the field, not behind a desk.

For as long as she had known him, he had hated working behind a desk. He hated sitting at a computer, typing up dull reports that professors, just as stale and dusty as the report would read and destroy with their hypothesizes and theories. He had said that if he ever became a professor at the Academy, he would make sure that his students had their own beliefs and shared their own hypothesizes with him. At the time, Kitara had laughed at him, but now she understood why he had chosen that statement.

Many times, Blaze had asked for Kitara’s opinion. She hadn’t understood why he, an accomplished doctor, would want a simple Ambassador’s opinion. But quite often, he would test her hypothesis, and a few times she had been correct. And when she wasn’t, he would explain to her why she wasn’t. He was a natural born teacher, and an ever more naturally born doctor.

Now, at twenty-four, he was well known throughout the Alliance, as one of the best doctors. At the rate he was going, he would be a professor at the Academy by thirty, only five to ten years older then most of the graduates.

Walking through the hallways, Kitara began to wonder if something may have taken him to his offices above the habitat ring. He had seemed preoccupied when she woke up on his couch that morning. Perhaps he was working on something that required hours of office work. It was getting late, maybe he needed her help, a hypothesis or two. She was in such a good mood from her dream that night that she felt ready to take on the world.

Quickly, she started toward the lift. She would check in on him, and if he needed her help, she would assist him, then they would go out to dinner. Upon entering the lift, she spoke loudly, "Medical floor."

W

The program had just cleared the screen when Kitara entered his office. He had sent the readouts from his tests to Headquarters, with a report on her status and her dreams. He hoped that they would reconsider their decision and allow the Destiny Fighter to explore the Cassana Galaxy. He had labeled it Confidential so that Kitara would never hear of it.

"Hey, Blaze. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Do you want to go to Paris for dinner? I was thinking late 1900’s, the Seine, a coffee shop near a small street band, a beautiful voyage under a starlit sky. What do you say?" She sat on his desk, a huge smile on her face. She brushed the hair from her face, where it always seemed to fall, and her ice blue eyes sparkled.

He looked up at her, remembered his mother’s words, You can’t protect her forever, Blaze. Eventually, you’ll have to let go. "I can’t, Kitara. I have some more work to do." He stood up, ejected the disk with his copy of the report on it, and tucked it into a pocket. "I’ll see you tomorrow."

The man left the room in a hurry, but she followed him. "Come on, Blaze," she said, running to catch up. "You need to have some fun, play some." She darted in front of him, giggling. "Hey."

"Life isn’t all fun and games, Kitara. You need to work a little to get by in life." She stopped, halting suddenly. Tears stung her eyes, "But you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?" His voice had ice in it, but he didn’t even look back, he just kept on going.

W

Doctor Amanda Ronin sat in her quarters. For thirty-seven years, she had been stationed on the Destiny Fighter, she had met her husband on it. He had been the Commander, but he left for another ship, which had been blown up, three years after he had been stationed on it. After twelve years of marriage, and a seven year old son to show for it, Amanda had been ready to let him go. Her grieving period was not long, although she still missed him tremendously. Her son was growing up to be just like him, when it came to what meant to most to him, no one could persuade him of otherwise.

She knew that Blaze hadn’t meant for her to feel alone, but she did. It was completely understandable that he would want to spend him time with Kitara, she was, after all, his best friend. But she wasn’t expecting Kitara to come to her quarters, late into the night, crying, because her son had hurt her.

"Kitara!" she said, opening the door. "What happened?" She welcomed the girl in, she was shivering. Grabbing a blanket from her closet, she wrapped the girl tightly. "Where’s Blaze?"

At the name of her son, the girl started sniffling, and fresh tears came to her eyes. "Am I a bad person?" Amanda was shocked. "Blaze said that I wouldn’t know what it was like to work. He said that some people had to work their way through life. What did he mean? I work, don’t I?" Amanda pulled the girl close. "I do. I think."

The older woman thought a moment about what Blaze could have meant. Then she remembered something from the meeting. The last thing Blaze had said before he asked Amanda to leave, She doesn’t need me anymore.

Again, her mind recalled the conversation in his bed quarters the night they had returned, One day, she won’t need you anymore. Then she realized what was wrong with him. He was hurt because she didn’t need him anymore, he thought that she was leaving him, and he wanted to leave her first.

The doctor patted Kitara’s hair, and said, "No, my darling. You are a wonderful person, and you do work, more then anybody on this ship. Blaze is just having a very tough time. I know that isn’t an excuse, but except it for now. One day, he will explain all of this too you." She felt Kitara nod. "Good, now, tell me what else was said."

W

Although it was late, Blaze hadn’t been able to sleep. He kept thinking of Kitara, and how she had looked when he had yelled at her. He knew he was hurting her, but it was better then her thinking everything was fine. They had been friends for years, an interesting companionship, that was highly unlikely. Blaze had always been a loner, someone who barely spoke to other people, always absorbed in some radical experiment. Kitara was a scared little girl who couldn’t face the world. They had hit it off almost immediately, the moment he had said, "Can you purr?" Her lips curled into a smile and she purred like a kitten. He knew right then that they would be friends. Within hours, they were laughing together, as she ate.

As they grew, the crew noticed the closer they got, the more they laughed. When they were fifteen and sixteen, they finished each others sentences, at seventeen and eighteen, they laughed until dawn, at twenty and twenty-one, they went to Earth to visit the Academy, then to Mira Sig so Blaze could show her where he was born. They explored Earth together, loving the little towns that were kept the way they once were, the quaint villages, the rustic beauty. Now at twenty-three and twenty-four, however, they grew apart. Blaze felt the rift growing deeper, wider. The tests had finally solved his problem. Push her away before she could push him away.

Most of the wandering races hated other beings. Kitara would want to join her species, her race, as they searched for a home. She would adopt their cultures, their lifestyles. That included the hate for other beings. The years she had spent on the ship would be erased in moments. She would forget all about him, his mother, Captain Ryan, Doctor Young, and the rest of the crew. She would be home, with her ancestors, her relatives, her people. What would she want with a bunch of space cadets.

The door to his bedroom opened, and a very familiar voice came from the silhouette. "Lights on." The lights flashed on, and he shut his eyes against the glare. "I have just been talking to Kitara for three hours, Blaze. She told me that you yelled at her, why did you do that? Damn it, Blaze, look at me!"

He rubbed his eyes, "I’m trying, Mother. I’m blind!" He rubbed his eyes again, squinting.

"Oh, shut up, and open them." He blinked, and his mother came into view. "Thank you. Now, what the hell is wrong with you!"

The man sat up abruptly, pushing the blankets from his body. He adjusted the silk pants he slept in, and brushed his hair back. "What are you talking about? Kitara was crying? Was it because of what I said?" Amanda nodded sternly. "Well, she deserved it."

She flung the sheets off of him, and pulled him from his bed. "Deserved what! Her best friend, turning his back on her? Leaving her behind when she needs him? Betraying her!" She pushed him back down, "I can’t believe you would stoop so low as to hurt her!"

"She hurt me first!" He screamed.

Amanda’s eyes widened at him, and her face flushed an angry red, "Don’t you dare go third grade on me, Blaze Ronin. I will not have that in my family. She hurt you first! How did Kitara Ryan hurt you first! By being happy that she saw her mother, by finally realizing that she wasn’t placed in the universe for nothing! By trying to share her happiness with her best friend?" She turned away.

"No, Mother, by leaving me."

"She’s in her quarters, crying. She hasn’t left."

"Yet," he muttered.

His mother turned back, comprehension in her eyes, "I know what this is all about." He looked up at her, his dark eyes inexpressive, "You don’t want her to go back to her race and forget you." He looked down. "Son, it would take a million years for that girl to forget you. You have made a lasting impression on her heart, and she cares for you deeply. Sometimes I fear that she relies on you to deeply to always be there. But that doesn’t mean you should just stop being there." Blaze stood up, and grabbed his black silk shirt. "Where are you going?"

He grinned at her as he buttoned himself up, "To apologize to Kitty." Amanda nodded approvingly, then kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Mother." She nodded, then followed him out of this quarters.

Watching Blaze walk to Kitara’s door right beside his, she smiled, her eyes dancing. She watched as he walked in, as Kitara said to enter. Her son had something special with her, and Amanda had seen it before, someplace else. They were best friends, doomed to be best friends for years, no matter what either one of them did.

W

Her best friend had hurt her, and she couldn’t imagine forgiving him. But the moment she saw him, standing outside her door, his eyes sad and lonely, she wanted to forgive him for everything. "Kitten," he started, his eyes big. She moved aside, allowing him entrance. "I’m so sorry."

He sat down on the couch, "Oh, Blaze. It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it. You must have a lot on your mind." She sat down next to him and nestled into a warm embrace. "I have something I want to show you." He looked at her. "I requested the possible investigation of the Cassana Galaxy." Blaze looked startled. "I wasn’t going to let them back out of an excellent opportunity, and a valuable research chance." She turned to the screen and commanded, "Screen on, show video Kit67."

A pictured beeped on, and before them stood the council. "Ambassador Ryan. This conversation is also being sent to Captain Ryan. We have reconsidered your plea to explore the Cassana Galaxy. We believe that this system could benefit our beliefs in many ways. It is because of your heart-rending plea that we state that our trust in you is complete. You, Doctor Blaze Ronin, and your active away team will leave the Destiny Fighter in three days time. When you find something of interest, and report to us, we will send your ship to intercept you, and the exploration will continue under Alliance regulations. Good luck, Ambassador." Sir David sat down, and the screen blinked out. Lady Lynn had tears in her eyes as she gazed at the screen.

Kitara felt Blaze’s tense body, his muscles taunt. "I don’t get it. What did you say to have them reconsider?" He looked at her, incomprehension in his eyes.

"I told them about the dream." Blaze looked down. "I told them that my race was somewhere in that galaxy. I guess they think that whatever race that may be would be a wonderful ally. If I am, then why wouldn’t they be?" Blaze smiled at her.

He brushed her hair from her eyes, it was late, and she hadn’t slept in awhile. She put her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes. She was so delicate, so small, but in a way, she was so much more. He felt her light breathing on his chest, and he smiled. For years, she had been his best friend. He had shared his dreams of becoming a great doctor with her, his fear of the dark, his love for his mother, how he missed his father. She could relate to all of it, and she was always there to laugh with, to talk to, and he would miss her when she was gone. But his mother was right, she was still there, and they still needed each other. There was so much that they hadn’t done, so much left to experience and they would. He swore to himself that they would.

W

The next day was filled with excitement for both of them. Early in the morning, Captain Ryan called them into his office. Kitara had slept peacefully, not even a mutter in the night, and Blaze had kept her close, his eyes heavy with sleep, until he too had drifted off. Now, they both sat at the table in the Captain’s ready room, going over the members of the away team. "What about Ford? She’s reliable."

Riley nodded, "But what about her physical abilities? Is she able to survive the trip?" Blaze pulled up her medical records on his personal computer.

"My records say that she suffers from mild acute anxiety in extreme situations, but that’s controlled with minor doses of medication which she has been taking for nearly a decade. In all, sir, I believe she is well physically." Riley nodded and Kitara added her to the list. That brought the away team up to nine people, the SEC regulation.

"Darling," Riley said, "Are you sure you want to do this? We aren’t allowed to help you until you find something of interest to the SEC."

The girl smiled at her father, her eyes saddened, "Yes, Dad. I need to do this. Everything I am may be hidden just inside that border, if I don’t go, I may never know."

"Then we’ll send the rest of the away team, and you can stay here. You are my daughter, I can’t let you go."

Kitara smiled at him, "Dad, I’m sure Helen Ford’s father feels the same way. Or perhaps Jack Dallas’ parents, or maybe Kelsey Wyatt’s family. Wouldn’t Jane Jackson’s father be upset if he knew? Or Keith Sparrow’s mother, the widow, or Jason Gray’s wife. What about Samantha White’s son and daughter, not to think about her husband, and younger sister. And last but not least, Neil Don’s family." She looked at him. "Do you think they want their loved one’s to go into the recesses of an unknown galaxy on the mission quest of some castaway that doesn’t have a past?" Riley looked down, "Dad. This is my way to finding out who I am. Obviously, my memory will never come back, and it won’t ever be the same as it once was. This is the only way."

The captain touched his daughter’s cheek, memorizing her face, her smile, then looked at Blaze. "Take care of my baby girl, Blaze. Help her find the future she is looking for." Blaze nodded, as Riley looked back at Kitara. She was the classic beauty, whose eyes enchanted those who could get lost in the frigid colored depths. She had a rounded face, evidence that she loved to laugh, and perfect skin. Her flawless skin was pale, due to the life in space, her only freckle was right below her left eye, a little dot on cream. "I have duties to attend to, and you, my dearest, have only one more day aboard this ship before you have to leave me." He kissed her cheek then rose to his feet. "I suggest you prepare for your journey and say your good-byes. Who knows when you may see us again." Kitara smiled at her father.

W

Doctor Ronin looked up as Kitara walked in. "Hello, Kitara," Amanda said, motioning to a seat, "Won’t you sit down?" Kitara smiled and sat in one of the chairs. "What brings you to my office, Ambassador?"

The girl smiled at the motherly figure, "I just wanted to thank you for whatever you said to Blaze last night." Amanda went to speak, "No, don’t tell me what was said, it’s none of my business, but thank you." The woman nodded. Kitara rose to her feet and prepared to leave.

"Ambassador," she turned, "Kitara," Amanda got up and walked around the desk. As soon as she was in front of her, she noticed Kitara was trembling. Suddenly, they both wrapped their arms around each other, Kitara buried her face in Amanda’s shoulder. "I want you to be very careful. Keep warm. And remember to take your vitamins." Kitara nodded into the woman’s shoulder. "Take care of Blaze, too."

The girl pulled away, and looked up at Amanda. "You know, you’re the only mother I’ve ever had." Amanda had tears in her eyes. "You told me when it was bed time, you made sure that I ate properly, and you helped me when I was sick. I hope my real mother was like you."

"I don’t doubt that she was, after all, I learned from you." Kitara felt herself begin to cry. "Come back, sweetheart."

"I will, and so will Blaze," Kitara whispered. With that, she walked away, closing the door behind her.

W

Out in the hallway, crew members smiled at her, wishing her luck, some saying good-bye early, because their shift interfered with being at the farewell. Kitara was so preoccupied with nodding to a young ensign, that she didn’t see Blaze until he was almost on top of her. "Come on, I’ve got a surprise for you," he said, grasping her hand.

Giggling, she followed him down the hall, past the members, and onto the lift. "Holo-deck," Blaze said into the computer. Turning to Kitara, he continued, "I’ve had this program since we left the space station, but I haven’t gotten the chance to show you yet."

Stepping from the lift, Kitara followed Blaze down the corridor. Seemingly empty, each of the rooms held equipment that could fool every one of the senses, and befuddle the mind into believing they were really there.

Blaze stopped at their usual room, and typed in a code. The doors swung open, revealing a stunning display of stone and candlelight. Before them danced hundreds of couples, in medieval style dresses and cloaks. Ladies-in-waiting stood beside the door, and knights on the other. "Lady Gwenhwyfar," Blaze said, offering his hand to Kitara.

A bright smile stretched across her face as she took his hand, and allowed him to lead her in. Instantly, her uniform was transformed into a flowing gown of silver and sapphire, her feet clad in silver silk. Blaze wore a tunic of sapphire, with the silver Pendragon seal on the breast, with blue pants. Couples danced from their path as he led her toward the head table. "This is astonishing…" Kitara whispered in his ear. "What’s the party for?"

"Our going-away party," Blaze replied, leading her around the head table to the seat beside his. "Do you like it?" he asked, pulling the chair out for her. Nodding, Kitara gazed at the many couples, swaying to the soft music. From the opposite side of the table, Kitara noticed a young man staring at her. He too wore the Pendragon seal, with the shoulder shield of a knight.

"Blaze…" Kitara whispered, pulling him towards her lips, "Who’s that? Over there, with the curly blonde hair…"

Without seeming too obvious, Blaze turned his head slightly, to watch the man momentarily. "Sir Lancelet," Blaze replied. "King Arthur’s… my... most trusted knight." Resting his closed fist beside his cheek, Blaze blocked his lips from view of all but Kitara. "Until he stabbed King Arthur… me… in the back by putting the moves on Gwenhwyfar… you." Kitara nodded understandingly. Abruptly, Blaze rose to his feet, and said loudly, "Woulds’t thou grant me this dance, milady?" Grinning, Kitara offered her hand, allowing Blaze to lead her onto the floor.

Music drifted quietly to them as they stepped to the floor. As Blaze’s arm came around her waist, Kitara smiled softly. "Thank you," she whispered, stepping with him to the soft tune. "Thank you so much." As he pulled her tighter, she felt her heart slow, and time seemed to stop. Suddenly, she flashed out of the medieval setting and onto a planet of ice and snow. Instead of dancing, Blaze lay on the ground, his head in her lap, bleeding profusely from a wound on his forehead. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she screamed into the darkness, crying for help.

"Kitty?" Blaze questioned, supporting her. "Kitten, what happened?" Kitara blinked, and realized that the song had ended, and people were beginning to sit. "Was it a flashback?"

"No, I’m fine," Kitara lied. "Come on, let’s eat."

W

Darkness melted around her as she lay on her back in her quarters staring at the ceiling. Stretched across her mind was the image of Blaze, laying in the snow, the scarlet on his face contrasted against the pure white all around. Through out her life she had seen a myriad of terrifying images, but of them all, this made her stomach heave and her hands tremble. No one could believe the amount of pain that Kitara would feel if her crusade killed Blaze. All her life she had wanted to know where she came from, and all her life, Blaze had been beside her.

"You’re not asleep," came his voice from the door. "Why aren’t you asleep?"

A smile crept across her face, "Same reason you aren’t." As she sat up in bed, she commanded the lights on.

"Oh, you had to pee too?" Blaze question, tilting his head questioningly. Watching her pat the bed beside her, Blaze grinned. "Excited?"

Softly sighing, Kitara answered truthfully, "Nervous." As he sat beside her, Kitara leaned heavily against him. "What if we don’t make it?" Shocked that she had even muttered such a thing, she caught her breath and stared into his face. Not so much as a flicker of emotion passed his expressive eyes, and Kitara knew he’d been wondering the same thing.

"What’d you see, Kitten?" Blaze questioned, touching her hand. "Because I saw something too… Something I couldn’t begin to describe." His voice hushed in the tone of terror, a sound she didn’t hear frequently. "Just remember, we can survive this together."

W

Alone on the bridge of the shuttle, Blaze watched stars dance together on the huge screen. His forehead hit the palm of his hand as he bowed his head. He’d seen it. Kitara laying helpless in a trap, dozens of savage looking natives, screaming at her. She was stuttering out words of their language, trying to make heads and tails of what they were saying. And Blaze was nowhere to be found. That was what scared him the most. The only way he wouldn’t be there to save Kitara was if he was dead.

There was no way that they could get back alive, and he knew it. But something had to be done, it couldn’t be Kitara’s destiny to die in search of her world. But he never saw Kitara die, he only saw himself not there. Maybe she lived, maybe she lived through what he saw… Which could mean one of two things, her knowing the language saved her life, and Blaze was dead, or Blaze saved her life. But if the first was true, that would mean that Blaze died so she could find her way home. Suddenly, he was all right with that. If it took his death for Kitara Ryan to find her home and her family, then so be it.

W

"Watch this, Mother!" Kitara exclaimed, spinning around so that her dress of state billowed around her.

Her mother smiled at her, a bright vibrant smile of a thousand suns. "Lovely, Kitten!" she laughed, reaching out a hand to her six year old daughter. A door behind her opened, and her mother smiled at the man who entered. "Darling," she said. "Button this, would you?"

The dashing man behind her smiled at his wife, then his daughter. "How is my little Miss Kitty doing?" he asked, clasping the necklace behind his wife’s neck.

"Great, Daddy!" Kitara burst out, her smile blinding. "Where is Aunt Amelia?" she asked, looking around.

Her mother glanced to her father, and whispered, "Really, Noble, shouldn’t we tell her?"

Noble shrugged, his blue eyes sad and lonely. "It’s up to you, Sera…"

Sera ducked down to her daughter’s view and whispered, "Aunt Amelia went to talk to the members of the Alliance. She thinks they will give us protection against the rebels. We will be leaving shortly. though. We may have found a new homeworld…"

But Noble shook his head. "Nonsense, Sera! Kitty’s tattoo hasn’t glowed. This is just another world… Maybe we can live there for a bit, but then we’ll have to leave."

Glancing up at her parents, Kitara cocked an eyebrow. "Daddy," she asked, "Why do we need a new homeworld?"

"Because this one is dying, sweet love," he replied, picking her up. "Come along, let’s go to the party…"

Again, Kitara cocked an eyebrow. "How long do you think we can live here?"

Puckering his lips, Noble thought a minute, did the calculations in his head. "Another century perhaps, maybe only five decades. But we need to find the right one soon. For that tattoo is the map and one of them only comes along every five hundred years." Kitara nodded, resting her head on her father’s shoulder.

W

Bolting upright in her bed, Kitara stared into the darkness. "Amelia!" she screamed, her dream waking the one memory she needed. "Blaze!" she screeched, leaping from the bed. Pulling her bathrobe on as she ran, she flew into his room. He wasn’t there. Thinking a minute, she turned on her heel, and darted down the hallway once more.

W

Blaze had just stepped off the lift on the medical floor when he heard Kitara running down the corridor. She slammed into him as he stepped off. "Blaze!" she cried, grabbing him and pulling him toward his office. "I need you to run a check for me!"

Cocking an eyebrow, then young man sat down at his desk, and logged on. "Amelia Kylieana… That’s K-Y-L-I-E-A-N-A… She would have come to earth when I was six… Um, sixteen years ago… 3051… June, I believe…"

Seconds after he typed the name in, the screen began passing names by them at a mile a minute. Only moments later, it froze, one name enlarged on the screen. Amelia Nysi Kylieana. Blaze clicked it.

A picture of a young woman appeared on the screen, pale as death, with ice blue eyes and navy hair, long and flowing. "That’s her…" Kitara breathed, leaning against the back of Blaze’s chair. "That’s my aunt…"