Ehe, sorry, Predator, I just re-read your prof, and you're too dangerous for this story. You'd kill us all, and as I'm nearing the end I have no way to work in that dangerous of an assassin. Sorry.



A battle station, Kove? Really? I didn't think so



Shilarloh was a small ball of rock, with an artificial atmosphere and not an inch of the original moon showing. It was city or shipyards all the way down, and NOBODY wanted to visit the lowest levels. However, it was one of the safest places Copper knew.

"And Kovu said that that Protector was headed for here. So if we can find him we'll get a double bonus."

"Oh. Cool."

"Yep, that's what I think, too. Shinyso, how're the- blast!" Copper barely veered away in time to miss the suddenly engaged shields.

"What the-? Ohno, they've closed the planet and I'm almost out of fuel. . . Shinyso, switch to reserve and set throttle to full. Set route to Kilanphor, the most direct one, if you please. Of all the times to close Shilarloh, this was the worst they could have possibly picked. . ." As Copper talked, her fingers flew over the controls. The Assassin turned slowly away from the small moon and began picking up speed, heading for Kilanphor.



Kroys paced the control room, growing more and more agitated.

"You cannot track this Protector? Idiots! Why didn't you let him in in the first place?" The miserable-looking Commander sighed.

"It was not my discision, Milord! The fools who denied him access have been eliminated, as were your orders, but I am afraid that that does not bring back the pilot, sir."

"Of course it doesn't! You are dismissed." The officer bowed tremulously, and fled. Kroys glared at the retreating turtle's back, and finally sat down in his throne-like command chair. And then. . . that feeling of leaving. . . No! Blast you, I will NOT GO!. . . too late. He was once more in that place of fog and cloud, and awaiting him was none other than three black forms.

The fog stretched out pale fingers of white towards him, tendrils of it enveloping him. It drifted between trees that he had never noticed before, and it covered the sky. There was no sun, moon or stars; the only light seemed to be coming from the mist itself. His magic could not send it away. It obscured the three waiting forms, and the shroud of gauzy fog swirled about him as he walked.

He caught a flicker of color in the corner of his eye, amongst the silent pristine trees. He turned. There was nothing.

Another flash. And nothing. There was nothing there anywhere, and yet he felt eyes on him, watching, waiting, with fury that drove the thick distorting mists before them.

A chill ran up his spine, and he turned his hate-filled look towards the three figures. They seemed further away than ever before. He walked faster, and they maintained the distance between themselves and him. He cursed softly, and stopped. They weren't that far away, and yet he could not reach them. . .

They were there. There was only two figures now. The female, Wild Angel, had left. Now there was a large, felinoid form slinking through the mists, and the one named Shinyso.

"What is this place?" His harsh voice seemed out of place in the silence of the muffling fogs. Shinyso half-smiled.

"This is the place between dreaming and wakefulness. This is the place of symbols, and you have already seen one."

"You lie. I have seen nothing."

"Oh? Consider this, enemy. I represent Copper and her comrades, and you represent the forces of Kroys. As Kroys chases Copper, she is always one step ahead of him. As long as he pursues her, he cannot reach her. Then he stops. And when he stops, Copper and her comrades come to him of their own accord. . . beware, enemy. You have made many enemies, and you would do well to watch your back."

And then he was gone.