Black Lighting is holding position inside the large pink gaseous nebula, rocking slightly from side to side as her hull is hit by the gas tides of the nebula. Krystal and Barak are casually sitting in the bridge very relaxed, continuing to catch up on the last few years since they saw each other, Krystal occasionally gazing out the into the nebula watching the dark and light pink swirls moving through out, looking for a sign of another ship.

“Ever think about giving up that boring stay at home life for something a little bit more exciting?” Barak, questions.

“From time to time I do miss the excitement of the old days but I sure don’t miss wondering if I will be killed and with Jace....” Krystal says stopping mid sentence to point out the view screen at a gigantic blimp like ship slowly moving into view pushing away waves of the nebula gasses.

“Finally, I thought they would never get here.” Barak says looking out at the blimp ship.

“I thought Beni was lying and just trying to buy time to escape.” Krystal replies.

“I was thinking that that might be the case. Well let’s go talk to these people and see if we can’t save your husband. Computer, pull us along side and extend the docking arm.” Barak commands.

Barak and Krystal head for the airlock while the ship extends the docking collar and vents the nebular gas before extending the docking bridge inside. Barak opens the airlock door; they start to walk to the other ship when they see something at the other end of the bridge. Once they focus on it they realise that it is Beni. He has been crushed between the end of the docking bridge and the other ship hull while trying to escape. His head, left arm and half his torso is visible sticking out the side of the bridge with blood splattered everywhere from the rest of his body being crushed into a fine paste by the bridge.

“That fuck knuckle, I can’t believe he did this, I knew he was a worthless piece of space trash but to steal from me the chance to kill him, that is just beyond mean and look at my nice new ship!!!!! His blood is everywhere! That little puss bucket is lucky he is dead or I would make him pay for this!!!” Barak shouts furiously.

“This should be fun to explain to the other ship.” Krystal replies shaking her head.

The airlock door on the other side opens reviling a giant Neptunian man in his hulk form with twin swords in hand. He has a very hard menacing looking face and a smattering of scars of both his arms. Behind him is an unknown number of people bunched together in a group. The Neptunian looks down as the door opens, a look of surprise comes over his face as he see Martin’s dead body or what is left of it at his feet.

“Well I guess he won’t be paying us to save him this time. I don’t know who you two are but as I see it we have three options here. One we close this door and go our separate ways, two we do business and you pay us or three we fight it out. The choice is yours.” The Neptunian says bluntly tightening his grip on the swords.

“It’s your quest; I will side with whatever you want to do here Krystal.” Barak says as aura begins to swirl around his body.

“Beni said that you delivered an item that he stole from the Red Line Army. If you can tell us who you gave it two then we can do business.” Krystal replies sternly.

“We can do that. What’s it worth to you?” The Neptunian inquires.

“How about your lives?” Krystal asks looking into his sole.

The Neptunian is taken back for a second then laughs settling into a smirk.

“No deal!” he replies as he charges at Krystal.

As he gets close he crosses his blades to slash at Krystal like scissors. In a flash Barak appears in front of Krystal grabbing the blades with his bare hands. Barak yanks them from his hands, he throws one right past the Neptunian sending the blade slicking right through Martin’s face. The other he uses like a club smacking the handle into the side of the Neptunian’s face tearing his skin open and bloodying the handle.

“The woman’s offer was fair, I suggest you reconsider it.”  Barak says looking up at the Hulk towering over him face bleeding.

The Neptunian looks down at Barak thinking about the fact that he is still in his base form.

“Now that I have had time to reconsider it I think you’re right. We delivered it to a mad scientist who goes by the alias ‘The Innovator’, he lives on the planet Dawn.” The Neptunian answers wiping blood from his face with the back of his hand.

“Thank you for your cooperation.” Krystal says walking back to the ship.

“Pity.” Barak says turning his back on the Neptunian and walking back to his ship still holding on to the man’s sword.

Barak disconnects the docking bridge and watches the Green Brothers ship fly away, with what’s left of Martin’s dead body still pinned to the side of the ship by the sword.

“Not that I care, just wondering, why didn’t you just pay them? We have more than enough money.” Barak questions curiously.

“Seemed like a waste of money and I was sure you would be up for a little dust up. Sorry they bitched out.” Krystal replies almost disappointed.

“Fair enough, the quest is not over yet, I’m sure we will see some action soon.” Barak assures Krystal.

“So do you know this ‘Innovator’ guy too?” Krystal asks with a look.

“No, never heard of this guy. I know the planet tho, it’s in Fringe Space. The planet is divided into 5 Kingdoms and it’s not a very nice place.” Barak answers.

(Want to read a story set on Dawn? “Half-breeds” is the book for you.)

“I have never been to Fringe Space.” Krystal replies.

“It’s not all bad like the major governments would have you think. There are some very nice planets out there unfortunately Dawn is not one of them and depending on which kingdom this Innovator is in it could get very messy.” Barak continues.

“I’m betting you are hoping it will get messy.” Krystal says relaxing slightly now that they are on the move again.

“I would not mind.” Barak says with a smile. “In any case it will take many days in hyperspace to get all the way out to Dawn. Fun face about Dawn tho, the planet orbits its sun in tandem with another planet closer to their star that partially eclipsed the star at all times, leaving the planet in partial light all the time.”

“Well in that case I’m going to go have a shower and a nap for 12 or 16 hrs.” Krystal says heading for her room.

“Sounds like a good idea, have fun.” Barak says heading the other way.

Once the Green Brothers ship is out of visual range, a small shuttle craft detaches from its hull and heads after Black Lightning, following her into hyperspace undetected. Krystal finishes her shower, gets dressed and heads back to her room through the main living area where she is confronted by a strange man she has never seen before. He is a tall Variant male, wearing a blue full body armoured tactical suit with an orange tattered jacket with hood over the top as well as an orange triangle of fabric wrapped around his waist almost like a skirt. His grey hair is only just visible from beneath the hood, his eyebrows match and he has unique black markings on the right side of his face and neck that look almost like lightning bolts. Krystal can see four weapon handles sticking up from his back but she has no idea what they are.

“Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?” Krystal shouts, hoping Barak will hear.

“Hello, I am Saikyō and I am here to capture you.” He replies politely.

“I don’t think so. Barak!” Krystal shouts, scouting the room for a weapons with her eyes.

“It’s no use yelling, he won’t hear you.” Saikyō informs.

“Why not?” Krystal, questions concerned.

“Because I hit him with a tranquilizer dart while he was sleeping. Well actually it is a very potent neural toxin dart that I use for assassinations but with Barak’s healing factor it works as a good tranquilizer.” Saikyō answers.

“You say that like you know Barak.” Krystal says confused.

“That’s because I do, we are friends, sort of. We are as friendly as a mercenary and an assassin/bounty hunter can be. If I had known he was keeping such beautiful company I would have payed him a visit earlier.”  Saikyō says with a smile.

“Has anyone ever told you, you talk a lot for an assassin. If you’re his friend, then why are you doing this?” Krystal asks getting fidgety.

“I get that all the time, I think it is because I spend so much of my time alone on the job that when I get the chance to talk to someone, especially when it is a cute girl, I just can’t help myself. As for why, it’s just business, he will understand. The bounties on your heads are substantial.” Saikyō replies looking right into Krystal’s blue eyes.

“He might understand but I don’t and I’m not going to let you take me down.” Krystal says forcefully with a steely look of determination in her eyes.

“If you won’t let me take you down, can I take you out?” Saikyō inquires.

With a shockwave of aura that shakes the ship Krystal shifts past Ryujin Warrior and right into her Ryujin Rage form. Her horns get bigger as her muscles enlarge and her soft skin turns into scales. Visible red aura starts to flow out of her body that looks like flames, as her scales on her arms crack and bleed. Trying to get to him before he can draw a weapon, she launches herself at him full speed fist at the ready.

In an instant Saikyō’s face changes from the carefree, happy, joking face that it was when they were talking into a super serious, hyper focused face of a true warrior. Bright orange aura starts to flow from his body mimicking that of Krystal as the two clash fists.

“I knew you would not be able to stay away from me.” Saikyō says with a smirk before going back to his serious face and pushing Krystal back.

They start to trade blows in quick succession, neither one managing to get past the other’s defences. With a swift kick to the ribs she sends him flying across the room knocking over a coffee table. She notices a short sword taped to the underside of the table and thinks “Of course Barak has weapons hidden around.” as she heads for it. Seeing her grab the sword he pulls a hatchet from his back, and waits in a defence stance. She presses the attack, swinging the sword at him, again and again and again, putting more force in with every swing testing his strength. He blocks each blow easily with his hatchet matching her strength perfectly.

“I know you are holding back! I am not someone to be toyed with!” Krystal announces, charging the sword with aura.

“You are stunning when you are angry but as you wish.” Saikyō agrees, drawing a second hatchet.

Saikyō flexes his muscles as his aura becomes denser and his veins start to push out of his arms. With speed that impresses Krystal, he starts swinging his hatchets, their weapons clash in a furious blur as she struggles to keep up with his attacks. He manages to hook one of his hatchets around her sword, while the two struggles trying to overpower one another; he swings with his other hatchet snapping the sword right down at the handle. She throws the handle at his face smacking him right in the centre of his forehead followed by a barrage of aura blasts, all of which he manages to deflect with swings of his hatchets. He charges at her again swinging both hatchets as one. She dodgers his attack grabbing his jacket as he moves past her with her left hand and pulls him backwards violently , making him go horizontal mid air then with her right hand she punches him in the gut, driving the hit forward until his body smashes into the ground with a almighty bang that shakes the ship and his hatchets go flying.

“Your power sure does live up to legend but I feel like because of your strength people forget to talk about how beautiful you are.” Saikyō says with a smile looking up at her from his back.

“Are you really trying to flirt with me right now? You are trying to kidnap me and I am married.” Krystal says in disbelief.

“Well if you have a better offer for me then I would not be trying to kidnap you and husbands are just another obstacle to overcome.” Saikyō says grabbing her hand.

Krystal looks down shocked as he begins to absorb her aura, his body swells with her aura. She jumps back out of his reach.

“My god you taste good.” Saikyō with a smile, back flipping onto his feet.

His face returns to his serious look as he charges at her, drawing a short sword from his back. Krystal pushes further into her Rage form, aura violently flowing out from her body as she grabs the blade with her bare hands, he tries to grab her but burns his hand on her aura.

“Damn your hot!” Saikyō says quickly grabbing the back of her head, absorbing more of her aura so he does not get burnt.

He swiftly moves in close to Krystal’s face and gently kisses her on the lips while she is still struggling to hold his sword. She violently pulls the blade from his grip before smashing his body into the wall behind him with her right leg. Full of anger she trusts at his neck with the blade, his face drops as the blade comes closer. Out of nowhere a plate comes flying through the air hitting the blade, pushing it sideways just enough that it slides along the side of Saikyō’s neck scratching him, before stabbing through his hood into the wall.

“Krystal, please don’t kill him, it was just a kiss.” Barak asks nicely from the other side of the room.

“Fine!” Krystal reluctantly agrees, punching him in the gut again.

“I deserved that.” Saikyō says coughing. “How are you awake?” He asks Barak surprised.

“I developed immunity to that stuff a while ago. I just wanted to see how ‘The Wondering Hunter’ would do against ‘The Legendary Dragon’ and I must say she kicked your ass.” Barak says laughing.

“Well in that case I surrender. I know when I am beaten but I don’t think I did that bad.” Saikyō counters.

“She did not even activate her Ryujin Dragon form.” Barak says mockingly.

“While this little reunion is very interesting, what now boys?” Krystal asks annoyed.

“I’m available if you want another blade on this mission of yours.” Saikyō offers.

“We do not require nor want your help!” Krystal says forcefully.

“You heard the lady and I suggest you listen to her.” Barak adds.

“Well I guess I will leave then. Until next time you magnificently stunning dragon.” Saikyō says with a smile.

“There will not be a next time.” Krystal assures.

“We will see. I look forward to the hunt.” Saikyō replies leaving quickly before Krystal can reply.

“You know the weirdest people!” Krystal says to Barak.

“I prefer to think of them as interesting, I can’t stand boring people.” Barak adds.

“That’s one way to look at it. Well I am going to go have that nap now.” Krystal says heading out of the room.