Beyond Outlaws and the Stars

[Helbaworshipper]

"I saw her mind. I felt her pain and confusion. She's searching for something."

Agatha's eyes widened a little, face remaining in a glare. "My daughter will have nothing to do with what I have done. I will not allow her to pursue what is not her own will." She knew it would be hard to explain. Still, for all the work she had put into Serenity, she couldn't allow her daughter to feel like she was obligated to serve a lost cause. This person had connected, probably linking to the bad dream that Serenity had had earlier that morning. Whatever she was looking for, she knew that this person would only push the direction that she did not wish to pursue.

[Zorolo]

"It isn't your choice. I'm not sure how it could be your mistake that a human could have magic, but you can't steal from her this choice. I didn't have this choice either. A thing known as a Ctarl Ctarl crash landed on my homeland, killed the thing I had been tasked to kill and stole my potential to become fully integrated into my society. It's unfortunate, but this is my lot in life. If you disagree, then disagree with me, but at least tell her the truth," Zorlo stated as he placed his hands on the table and raised himself to stare her down. "You can't chain someone away from fate. Doing so... will only bring worse despair. That's what I learned from all of this. So please, explain what you just said.... what is your mistake?"

[Helbaworshipper]

"Explain my mistake?" Agatha spoke, looking a little confused. "You mistake my daughter for a flesh and blood human. I apologize, but she is a bio-android. She was made from a magical body recovered that held true magic." She closed her eyes, hands coming together in her lap. "I was a scientist looking for the source of true magic and seeing if it could bond with technology. It was an experiment that proved to succeed. However, since she did not show immediate results and was to be scrapped for another try. I couldn't stand to see her, my daughter, be taken away by the government." She stood up slowly, her glare back at him. "I will not allow you to ruin what I have made to keep her from having to follow my deluded experiment!"

[Zorolo]

"Bio-android?" Zorlo asked quietly as he thought about it. "Scientist... scrapped... so many peculiar thoughts. Well, if you're going to tell me these things, I'll share with you a secret," Zorlo said as he held his hand up and a ball of green flame burst to life in it. "True Magic, as you call it, still exists outside of the known universe you people accept. I am one such person from those worlds. My magical talent is low, so i convert my magic into my body to give me superior physical strength," the warrior stated as he dispelled the green-flame ball. "I am Zorlo of the Dalish People of a world with no name you people have. I am the bearer of knowledge of magic to this "known" universe. I'm sure I have information you desire on that subject, but I shan't share it if I cannot speak to that girl... I must know what she's seeking. The pain I felt in her heart... hurt mine. I have... I must know."

[Helbaworshipper]

"Please leave this place and never return." She spoke, opening the door. "I will not follow anymore of your explanations when it concerns my daughter." She walked towards the exit, leaving the office door open. She looked at Serenity, who had calmed down considerably. 'I'll do anything if it will release that burden from her heart. Even if it hurts, being a family will heal what cannot be pursued.' She closed her eyes and approached the register.

[Zorolo]

Zorlo rose and grabbed his staff before walking out without saying another word. As he neared the exit, Space Forces approached and bumped into Zorlo. The blonde-haired man, Marco, simply shoved him. "Hey, pointy, get out of my way."

Zorlo's eyes shifted towards the man as he gripped his staff, but he simply walked past. "Know your place, human," Zorlo commented as continued to walk onwards.

Marco paused, as did his men, as he drew his gun. "What? What did you say, Pointy?"

Zorlo turned as a quick burst of power surged from him. "I said 'Know. Your. Place. Human,'" Zorlo added as he spun his staff.

Marco's hand shook uncontrollably as he lowered his gun. "Tsk. Not worth the f*ckin' time," the man said as he entered into the establishment and took a table, his soldiers sitting down with him as well. He slammed his fist against the table and laughed. "Hey, lady, we want to see the hot waitress! Send her over for mine and my men's orders! And remember, since we're Space Forces, it's on the house."

Zorlo watched the soldiers enter and began barking orders. He scoffed. "Foolish people," the man said as he tried to walk away but paused. "Dammit..." he muttered, moving just out of sight to a nearby bench to sit down. It wasn't like anyone on the ship would take not he was gone. As far as Z had gathered, none of them had any kind of attachment to one another. Still, would they really leave him alone? If they did, what would he do?

Zorlo sighed. This universe was just a pain in the butt now... but he couldn't go back... he couldn't go anywhere... Such misfortune.

[Helbaworshipper]

Agatha gave a glare towards them. "Since we're not part of the space forces, you'll have to pay for your food. Unless you have a voucher for a free meal here, I suggest you leave or use your actual money." She looked towards Serenity. The girl seemed to be a bit nervous at the thought, but walked towards them.

"I apologize, but we only serve paying customers." She had a gentle smile, though there was quite a bit of annoyance in the tone she spoke. "Unless there's something you'd like to tell use about the services the space forces offers small businesses like ourselves?"

[Zorolo]

"Clearly I didn't make myself clear," the man said as he drew his gun. "You see, you're both outlaws," the man said as his second removed a screen that showed them both upon it. "IF you don't want me to immediately arrest you both, you'd best start doing some real good service, lestwise I might just waste you both here," the man said as his men started chuckling.

As Zorlo sat quietly, he heard the sounds of screaming and terror. He looked up and saw the human holding a gun as he struck a person trying to leave the restaurant.

"Hey, dumbass," the man said as he knocked the escaping person over with a quick pistol whip, "if you think any of you are leaving quietly or at all, I'm gonna keep you all here until I'm satisfied and have decided whether or not I'm gonna just waste you all. After all, in a backwater sh*t hole like this, who cares about some rednecks, a bio-android and some crusty scientist?" the man asked as the others continued cackling.

"Low lives," Zorlo muttered as he kept his eyes on them. If things got any more out of hand... he would have to do something. Even if he didn't really feel the need to.

[Helbaworshipper]

"After all, in a backwater sh*t hole like this, who cares about some rednecks, a bio-android and some crusty scientist?"

Serenity's eyes closed, tears starting to fall down. It was her worst fear coming true. She stared at the guns with that same sad expression that she had shown in the dream. That knowing, yet saddened, face as she spoke of her desperation. Her heart hurt as she moved back towards where her mother was situated. She could feel the tension as Agatha's hand went around her shoulder.

"You need to leave Serenity, quickly." She whispered quietly.

"Not without you mother. I need you..." She spoke, her shaking continuing as she gazed towards the triggers that could either destroy her or create a problem.

[Zorolo]

"Stop standing around and do something," Zorlo's voice echoed as one of Marco's assistants flew off and into a wall. What had once been his face had been caved in and blood rushed from what had once been a human form of a face. The white-haired elf's left fist was wrapped in rock and his sword dispelled it's transmutation, returning to a sword. In the chaos of Zorlo's entrance, most of the people inside of the restaurant fled.

Marco and the other two soldiers stepped back as they drew their weapons. A number of bullets fired off, but seemed to hit a near invisible wall of magic that blocked the bullets. After the weapons stopped clicking, the three moved hap hazardously to reload their weapons before something bad happened. "Miss, you and your mother get out of here. I'll deal with these people," Zorlo said as he moved quickly and struck with the hilt of his sword, knocking the three out of the way and against tables or other things.

"You can escape now and do whatever you want... but once these people don't check in... there will be more. Please, come with me..." Zorlo said as he spun his sword as green flame covered it. "But for now, get out of here. I've already exposed pure hearts to too much violence. Get out of here... Please..." the man stated as he looked at the three soldiers who were regrouping to continue fighting.

[nekoryuuha]

Sakura gave a thumbs up to Ashley's request as the Engineer left to straighten things out with the station maintenance crew. "All in all, not a bad night," the captain said to herself with a smile. She would've gone back to sleep if not for the request and the rumbling of her stomach. And so with a sigh, the Ctarl-Ctarl got up showered and ate before leaving out, smiling as she watched Ash directing things. "Now, I think I still have enough for an outfit or two," she murmured to herself as distant screaming and gun fire reached her sensitive ears. Close, but not nearby. Something was afoot and with curiosity befitting her cat-like appearance, she detoured to go check things out.

[GamerKale]

The pit crew started scrambling away and Ashley grabbed two of them. "Oh no, just because there is a very real chance of rapid depressurization because some idiots are firing guns on a satellite, you are not leaving me to finish all of this by myself." "But we could die!" "Let me put it to you this way you can risk rapid depressurization or I can find you an airlock and ensure it. What do you guys say?" "We'll uh, we'll keep working." Ashley smiled and set them down. "Good, now get me a plasma torch."

[Helbaworshipper]

'I feel weird, like... Like I want to do something.' Serenity's eyes began to close a little. The aura that resonated began to alert Agatha. The older woman gently spoke. It felt like she was talking to a child as she spoke what seemed to be some sort of key phrase. "Mother?"

"Let's get out of here now. Before we lose our chance to escape." She grasped her daughter's hand and walked towards the exit. They would have to grab anything else that was necessary after the stranger took care of things.

"Mother, what if... What if he needs help?"

[nekoryuuha]

At about the same time Serenity asked that question, the door to the front of the cafe blew open hard enough for the hinges to break, the doors hanging awkwardly as Sakura calmly walked in with a less then amused face. Depending on whom you're talking about, they might be getting some, Dear. Now, who's trying to teach everyone how to suck vacuum and eat lead?" she said off-handedly as she cracked her knuckles and looked around spying the now less-then-confident outlaws and the now armed Zorlo. "Oh, you're here Zorlo? I thought I smelled you on the way here. So then, I guess that means you're all you one I need to put down then." Slowly, her lean frame's muscles began to expand and define themselves as her claws extended. "Miss, you two might wanna leave soon. This isn't gonna end well."

[Helbaworshipper]

Agatha closed her eyes, speaking again. "We are safer outside of this place than inside, Serenity. I won't tell you again." The two walked out of the cafe as the mood altered. It felt heavy just to speak and Agatha's hand did tightened just enough to begin feeling her daughter tremble. The two had tried so hard to hide in front of others. Not to make anything strange happen that would draw attention to this remote satellite. Yet, it had happened and they were found. Where would they run to now? It would just be a matter of time before the government realized what was going on and that they were now without a permanent residence.

"I'm scared." Serenity spoke softly, stopping her pace. Her normally calm face looked as if she were seeing ghosts of the past. It had taken a long time to run away and get to the cafe. Now that it was gone, they could not do anything but sit and hope that nothing else could break their bond. The woman lost her stern look and slowly let go of Serenity's hand. She brought a hand to her daughter's head.

"Food will do some good." She held up her purse. She had managed to grasp it because it held a gun she rarely had reason to use. "For now, we'll eat." She lead her daughter to the farthest area to get something. She knew that Serenity had a strange love for foods with berries in it.

[Zorolo]

Zorlo looked at Sakura and laughed as the men fumbled to reload their guns. "I don't need your help, madam, but if you're forcing me to take it, captain, then I have no choice but to accept," the man said as he spun his sword in his hands and watched as the blade burst into green flames. He rushed forwards and sliced through the gun, melting the cut barrel as his sword cut, before running the man through with the blade and burning his body into ash. "Begone, fowl creatures. You make your kind weep with shame. Your ancestors cower in their afterlife as they embrace you. Farewell, little fools. May the next world be kinder than this one," the mage said as he sliced the last assistant in half with his sword. The man's body burst into flames and vanished as ash when Z turned to face Marco.

The blonde-haired man had reloaded his gun and fired again as the magical barrier sprung up again and stopped the shots by negating their force as it hit the barrier. "Captain, I'll let you handle this worm... I need to track down those ladies," Zorlo said as his sword became a staff and his armor vanished, leaving him in his robe. "You can do with that worm what you wish... but I no longer think he's fit to fight. Your decision, my captain," Zorlo said as he rested his hand on her shoulder and smiled at her slightly as he walked past.

"We should probably be leaving soon, as I'm sure you can guess, my liege. Please be fast with this beast."

With those words, Zorlo started off after Serenity and Agatha. He wasn't sure if he could find them, but he would definitely try.

Meanwhile, Marco shook violently and curled up in a corner. "A-a-a-a-a-A! CTARL-CTARL!" he yelled, terror filling his eyes and making him very pathetic. "DON'T KILL ME!"

[Helbaworshipper]

Sitting down at the bench with what seemed to be a small sundae with blueberries, Serenity picked at it lightly with her plastic spoon. Sitting beside her, Agatha held a similar food with her eyes closed. "What do we do now, mother? We can't return there without more of them coming."

"We simply move around, like we used to. Perhaps we might somehow find a way to get a place to stay for awhile again." She spoke, staring at the ice cream melt. "You don't believe that we can just leave with that stranger, correct?"

"I don't know." She closed her eyes, letting go of the spoon. "Now I'm uncertain on what it is I'm going to do. There's something that I feel I have to do."

"You don't have to." Agatha answered, putting her hand on Serenity's. "You can just be this way for as long as you live."

[Zorolo]

Zorlo walked along, trying to locate the signature of her magic again. That girl... he wasn't worried in the least about his captain. She was stronger than any Dalish Zorlo had met... at least in terms of physical strength. She would be fine... but there was something else he had to deal with. Something that he had to do... or so he had convinced himself.

He stopped suddenly, staring at the two women and thinking. He wasn't sure what to do... but he knew that he had to do something. He had to try and convince that girl one last time. He had no goal... no purpose... but in her sadness, he felt something. What was it? He wasn't really sure, but it was worth looking into it again.

Zorlo approached the bench and looked at the two women. "I'm sorry to bother you again... but I can't simply leave this... floating landscape thing. Not without asking again. I must know... please, tell me miss, what is it you are seeking?" he asked, not raising any other questions at the moment.

[Helbaworshipper]

Agatha glared towards the man, attempting to speak when she heard the ice cream drop from Serenity's lap. She noticed the look in her eyes had altered, looking just like she remembered. She slowly reached a hand to touch her daughters shoulder. The blank eyes, the eyes of someone searching inside themselves and finding only what has been programmed. "Serenity-"

"What do you mean? I don't know what I seek. I just have to go somewhere. Somewhere far away..." She spoke, looking at the ice cream. She could see the universe in it as she spoke. She could hear words in her ear softly, returning back to normal. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. I can't remember what it is you're talking about."

'Could it be the presence of magic makes it harder for her to keep from her objective? Then how was she able to keep from showing signs of her mechanical objectives before?'

[Zorolo]

Zorlo had seen it... the searching and longing in her eyes. "I'm sorry that I interrupted what you were doing... but..." he paused. He wasn't sure how to say what he wanted to say... and even if he had, he couldn't make it sound normal. Then again, NOTHING about this situation was normal in the least. "There is no way I can explain what I'm talking about in hopes you'd understand... but... we have... met before," the man said, looking away and feeling awkward. "I... I'm wondering... if..." the man's head began to spin as he stepped back and looked at her. "I am Zorlo, miss, and it is an honor to meet you," the warrior said with a smile.

"We met in your dream... a recent one... but... since it was a dream, I doubt you recall... that's why I feel so out of place. My people don't dream... instead our minds travel via a magical passage way... in deep meditation. ANyway, I've said too much... please, allow me to speak with you two. Before long, my captain will return and I will have to leave... so let me ask... what will you do now?"