Between a rock and a hard place

Hades actually looked surprised at what Chance asked him to do. "And may I ask why Chance? I swear sometimes you remind me of a curious child. Always wanting to see this and that." Said Hades as he looked at him. Pressing a few buttons on the dash board by him a screen came down since they had camera hidden in the rocks on that planet.

Video footage of the group popped up on the screen. "Ah the looks of terror. Such things normally entertain me. But I doubt this battle will last long. One of their comrades appears to be down." Said Hades as he watched the fight go on across the large screen. A man came walking up and saluted saying, "My lord I'm sorry to interrupt you. But we're about to reach our destination in five minutes. May I ask what our next plan of action is sir?"

"Prepare for my arrival on the planet. I think we should give our little group a welcome party they'll never forget." Said Hades. "Of course sir." Said the man walking off quickly.

Malik caught the weapon. The chimera suddenly lunged for Tawnie while her back was turned but Luke shot it in the face and Xanthus used some type of energy rope to whip at it with a loud crack. Malik started shooting off as fast as he could. As well as Luke but their attacks seemed to be useless.

Tawnie reloaded as she passed Malik another clip, though her next burst of fire two bullets hit the mark by accident. As they penetrated the left eye the beast roared hideously as it fell to the ground and shook the room, though it had little or no damage from the rest of the attacks it's eye was how it had fallen. "Luke we should withdraw all personnel, get in touch with the commander please. It's a matter of safety, this planet is too dangerous." She then kept the safety off and turned on the light attached to the gun, so that she could see better and they all had light.

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"Because attacking an unknown enemy is what almost killed me, and besides what if their not the enemy. For them to expand this far makes it quite interesting, perhaps we're underestimating them." The looks on the screen were not troubling him, but when the chimera fell at the hands of a human it made him smile as to the fact they could overcome great adversity and almost impossible odds. "However i will not compromise your security, that one looks dangerous as she was able to take down the beast."

Luke then grabbed Malik swinging him onto his back gently. "OW!!" Cried Malik loudly as his leg got jostled as a result. "Sorry now let's get to upper ground fast." Said Luke as he started running in the general direction of some stairs. Xanthus grabbed Tawnie and pulled her along fast catching up with Luke and Malik.

They seemed to run for a good ten minutes till a light was seen at the end of the tunnel and they managed to reach the upper ground. They heard someone clapping that moment. Looking up ahead Luke thought, "Now what!" He saw Hades standing right in front of their shuttle with Chance standing right next to him. "Bravo now that's what I call live entertainment but I'm sorry to say it was all in vain. You do realize for the crime you committed for trespassing on our territory I can't let you people live." Said Hades with a smirk.

"Oh is that so." Said Xanthus walking forward. "Interesting creature you are. You're not human that's for sure." Said Hades looking at Xanthus. Pulling out his energy whip Xanthus cracked at Hades at a fast speed. "That's not very wise Xanthus!" Said Luke. But the whip didn't even get to touch Hades as he just held up his hand. And it hit an invisible barrier bouncing right off.

"Luke don't ever question my methods. I thought I told you three to flee and yet you all didn't listen. Now then let deal with this man and at least expose what he's hiding. So if I do die at least you three can think of a way to beat him." Said Xanthus walking up. "You honestly don't know what you're getting yourself into kitten. It's you who will be the one to die." Said Hades as he suddenly seem to float up in the air going high up where they couldn't touch him.

"That's not normal.... What is he?" Said Luke in shock. "No idea but let's hope our kitty cat here has some tricks up his sleeves." Said Malik. "Oh wow he flies. I'm so scared." Said Xanthus sarcastically. "You should be. You want to know why?" Asked Hades. He held out his palm to the east side of the planet where a mountain stood up. A black ball of energy formed and he shot it off. Moments later it struck the mountain making it explode. When it cleared half of it had a huge hole through it."

"I'll deal with the vermin, these are the only ones I am interested in." Chance said as he looked at them and their bickering but he was not impressed, Hades had done that before so the moment he ha a chance he approached Xanthus and picked him up with ease by the head. "Your in my way, now if you would like to walk away alive then don't anger Lord Hades." He then tossed Xanthus aside and into a large stone like he was nothing, before approaching fleeing workers and proceeding to literally crush skulls and send them into the mountain so hard their was little left of them. Xanthus he just wanted out of his way, and out of the path of Hades as well.

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Tawnie was not one to fight a losing battle, so instead she put her weapon away and stood between the others and these new people. Xanthus was nothing to the man who proceeded to take out the workers like they were insects, and as that happened she looked at Hades. "We were just pulling out, we have a wounded person here and they need to get back to the ship! Whatever we hit we were only going to analyze, that is all." She said as she kept a feed open for the commander to see, who was already on a shuttle down to deal with this herself with full armor and heavy weapons or her own protection. "Please wait for our superior officer to arrive, under Azarus Corporate security regulations your acts of hostility are considered and act of war." She cited then kept her gun ready in case they did not listen to reason.

"Xanthus!" Yelled Luke as he watched the male cat get flung into the rock like a rag doll. Hades just lowered himself back onto the ground. Holding out his hand Tawnie gun suddenly exploded right in her hand and was no more.

She got flung aside by Hades just pushing her and landed a few feet away with a thud. "Tawnie no!" Yelled Malik shaking. "And that was me holding back. Now you see that it's pointless?" Asked Hades. A rock Malik flung out of rage suddenly struck the side of his face that moment and a bit of blood trickled down it that moment.

"You bastard! Why can't you just let us go! Can't you see we meant no harm! Or did you not hear what Tawnie just said!" Yelled Malik as he sat there crippled. Hades just walked toward the blond and Luke was in front of him in a instant. But he too got flung aside and landed a good few feet away on the ground. He lay there unconscious and Malik just sat there shaking terrified in fear.

Hades got down in eye range in front of Malik and gripped his chin with his hand. "Just kill me and be done with it!" Snapped Malik. "You look oddly familiar boy. What's your name?" Asked Hades. "Malik and what's it to you jack ass! Not that you deserve to know after hurting my friends!" Said Malik furiously as he glared right at Hades. "Is that your real name or you lying to me?" Question Hades. "How should I know! I have no memory!" Malik yelled furiously as hot tears started to run down his face from being so scared.

Tawnie was not sure what was going on when the gun blew up, and whn she landed she glared and then saw not too far off the shuttle landed and and the doors open, carrying one of their heavier weapons a shot hit the ground beside Hades feet that blew up a sizable hole in the ground for the size of round that impacted. "You are in direct violation of Azarus Corporation security protocols, I am Commander Starling and the head of this operation. Before you lay a hand on any of my crew any further you will explain your actions. I have authorization to use lethal force if necessary, in fulfilling my obligations." She said as she approached and held the rather heavy looking rifle in her hands at her side. She was pissed but she was also trying not to kill him or his companion, after all this was still business. She purposefully picked up Malik and set him aside so that Hades was only dealing with her.

Chance saw this and stood between the two of them, the rifle she had looked like something he would be able to use but he preferred his own fists. "Lord Hades is not to be addressed like some common person, you will show him..." He was cut off by the commander who was grinning as she spoke, and almost laughing. "Shut it tin man, or that head of yours is going to be my next target. Here I do things my way, and my way usually means nobody but me orders me around."

Hades flew up fast when a shot landed at his feet. Descending back down onto the ground he just looked at Starling with no fear at all. Luke on the other hand tossed his broken glasses aside and just had a big amused smirk on his face when Starling told that idiotic cyborg to shut his yap. Obviously Pandora decided to show herself. As she came out of her hidden area. Walking up she said, "As usual you let yourself have too much fun my dear Hades."

"Alright I suppose I got carried away this time. But I can't help myself when I want to test the strength of someone. I have to say they did good against your little pet fluffy my dear Pandora. But it was a complete failure against me." Said Hades with a soft sigh. "Whoa whoa wait a second! That thing has a name!" Yelled Malik pointing at the dead chimera. "Just what the hell is going on here? You best give some answers." Said Luke limping up slightly after helping Tawnie up.

"How should I put this? I never meant any harm from the start. In times of need we tend to run across certain people and in order to see if they are strong enough to be our allies. You can say we throw a little test their way." Said Hades. "Yes and if you can forgive our actions. We couldn't exactly tell you. Because if you knew you'd probably hesitate and hold back. But my dear husband here needs to really pick his battles wisely otherwise he'll get us all killed." Said Pandora shoving her elbow into Hades stomach.

"Tch annoying bastards. I knew something was off about you people. That Chimera was too easy to take down. If it were a real deal we'd be chewed up, swallowed, and spit out in an instant." Said Xanthus walking up. "You're right and needless to say nobody died really. Chance here is a lot softer then I like. And a bit of an actor might I add." Said Hades. "So did we pass or fail? Is what I want to know?" Asked Luke. "Half and half you humans are a lot dangerous then I thought you to be. So I say yes." Said Hades.

Chance did not say much to the comment, he was serious but he still had the idea that humanity was more interesting than it seemed. "You can't fake loyalty, if this were real I'd have killed them last after some talking. I tried not to hurt you to much, and how did you know?" He seemed surprised that she could tell about him, but then after a scan of her armor then it was apparent how she could use that gun and figure him out. Standing aside and letting Hades and Pandora handle this.

"Strength has many factors, I would have done it too. But if this is not a ruse, then tell me what exactly was this place. Ground in some places has worn thin, quite dangerous." She lowered the rifle and lifted the visor as Tawnie thanked Luke and got up, some test this was as she almost did get hurt by the lumbering cyborg. "He does his job at least, Tawnie Nicols, security officer. If that was just a test, then that chimera did almost kill me and I got lucky." She admitted, and then looked to Malik as she got the first aid kit and started to secure his leg so he could be moved.

"I rest my case maybe next time you'd listen. Maybe then you three would have been off this rock and to safety." said Xanthus with an annoyed flick of his tail. "OH shut up flea bag. You got your ass flung like a rag doll. You were in the same boat we were and you know it." Said Luke. He then rubbed his eyes and said, "Damn I can't see shit without my glasses. I'm going to stumble my way back to the shuttle we took and go back to the ship now thank you. Besides we need to get Malik's leg looked at."

Hades just walked over to Malik and got down. Yanking up his pant leg slightly he took a good look. "Hold still." He said as he slowly drew his finger up Malik's leg. Malik flinched and yelped but suddenly the pain was gone and he felt the bone reset and heal itself. He was pulled up to his feet by Hades. Hades walked back over to Starling and said, "This planet usually serves as a testing area. Every so often people like you will come by and we pull the same charade we did you to you all."

"Interesting, and you know this place holds much more than that. According to the scans, there is much more this place can be used for. Geologically it has numerous rich deposits, though most of them lie beyond that facility underneath us." Starling said as she put the rifle on her back which was almost as tall as her, she was now interested in this as perhaps this could solidify her position and play out to her advantage.

"Commander I'll see you back to the ship, and you know how expensive those rounds are." She was glad to get rid of this issue, but the whole purpose of their job here was on the line. The commander wanted to get her way, but she knew that she needed backing as well as keeping it all in the dark from official record.

Malik walked up and said, "Excuse me Hades. Can I ask you something?" "Call my Mikail that's my real name. Hades is the name of the house hold I belong to and lead. But ask away." Said Mikail. "You said I looked familiar like you seen me before. Was that a lie?" Asked Malik. "No that wasn't Malik. Why do you ask?" Asked Mikail looking at him. "Because I lost my memory five years ago and I don't know how. I don't know my birth parents. Or anything for any matter." Said Malik softly.

"I will say this when the right time comes you will remember. It's not good to tell those who suffered from memory loss about who they were and such. It's better they learn on their own. Anyways I'd like to stay and chat but I really need to run. This planet is not to be used for resources mind you and if you try then I really will get real on you people." Said Mikail walking off. Pandora followed behind him.

"Oh I am sure you have your own interests here, however I am more than open to negotiating equal rights. Besides there are matters best left discussed in private, where would you care to meet to discuss matters." The commander said as she removed her helmet and cracked her neck, there was more at stake here than just mining rights. Her own schemes and plans which she had made since arriving, it was more beneficial to have allies close by rather than ones who only did what was needed for the bare minimum.

"Malik, it can wait till later. Let her handle this, this can be difficult business." Tawnie suggested as she looked to Luke for support, knowing none if them were really in any position to take any official action at this time. Chance headed off with them as well, and paused at her words. A human wished to talk, but something was off about her stance. "Lord Hades I will go on ahead, escort Lady Pandora back to the ship."

"That won't be necessary Chance. I have urgent business to tend to." Said Hades. He then looked at Starling and said, "We'll have our meeting five days from now. Come to the planet Tartarus. That is where I will be since it's my home planet after all." he tossed her a small chip and said, "There's the coordinates to the planet of course. I'll meet with you then. Until then farewell my sweet lady." He then seemed to vanish that moment with Pandora and Chance.

Three days had gone by and Malik was distant as he stuck to his work on the ship. Even with all the bugs he was getting he didn't even make the slightest fuss. Luke was worrying. Normally the blond had pitched a fit when things had gone wrong. Malik go take a while off. I'm giving you the next few days off. I'll take the heat from the commander. And besides I can cover both yours and my job easily. Malik looked up and just gave a nod. Leaving the bridge he went back to the residential quarters and into his room.

Malik flopped on his bed and his eyes closed it was then a voice echoed in his mind saying, "It's as I thought. You are the one." Sitting up with a startled gasp Malik looked around scared. It was then the room suddenly went dark and he stood up fast. Seeing a glowing figure of a man standing in front of him Malik paled. They looked to be transparent. "Hologram...." Asked Malik confused.

"Almost close but it's astral projection. Do not be afraid. I finally come to realize you are the one. The one who shall be able to save us. I know you've come in contact with Hades my boy. But whatever you do. Don't not trust anything he says." Said the man. "Wait who are you and how do you know that?" Asked Malik. "My name is not important at the moment. But beware you might be in more danger then you realize. We will be coming for you shortly. Until then stay safe." He then disappeared and the lights flickered on again.

Malik was left speechless. He just placed his hand on his forehead wondering if he was going crazy. That man seemed so familiar it was almost terrifying for him. He lay back down after that.

Taking the coordinates and then returning to the ship after this ended she made her plans, leaving Luke in charge she decided to take a smaller shuttle for this. It would take her five days even at the fastest speeds, though she explained little she had left a few small stacks of paperwork for Luke to handle as well. Alexandra was her first name, but she hated being called by that though by people she did not have explicit trust in.

Tawnie was back to her regular duties and she was quite worried about everything, they were at a stand still and people were getting restless. Now all their teams were doing was idling about and Malik did not have much spark, looking for Xanthus she leaned against a wall. "Seems pretty dead around here, things are too quiet. Hear anything going around, right now you might hear more since you can technically get into some places I can't." She asked as if she was so bored she was just trying to make conversation from nothing.

Even without crawling around it's easy for me to hear in my human form." Said Xanthus as his ears twitched slightly. He saw Malik come out into the hall looking quite dead to the world around him. "I really think that last fight we had got to the kid Tawnie. He doesn't look like himself as of late. I'm worried." Said Xanthus softly.

He then walked up to Malik and placed his hands on his shoulders saying, "Oi why not cheer up and smile. It's not good to be so mopey like this kid." Seeing Malik's eyes water up he blinked. "Why.... My life is nothing but a lie. Who am I? I want to know and when I thought I was so close to find out more. It just gave me nothing else to know. I feel so lost and it's just making it harder on me...." Said Malik.

"Malik the answers you seek have been with you this whole time. It's time for you to leave this place." Said a voice around them that even Tawnie and Xanthus could hear. Xanthus got on guard almost immediately as the same man Malik saw before appeared. But this time he was for real and not an image. "Who the hell are you? How did you get on this ship?" Asked Xanthus.

"My name is Helios. And even technology has its limits against the stars of our vast universe. It's alright I'm not your enemy if you choose me not to be. Don't worry the cameras can't see me either so." "So you're saying you know who I am?" Asked Malik looking at Helios. "Yes and I want you to come with me. I've finally got direct orders to come bring you home." Said Helios. "Home...." Said Malik not knowing what else to say. "Like he'd really believe that. What is this some scam? How long have you been watching us?" Asked Xanthus.

"He's not lying... I can tell he's not. If I go with you may I take these two with me. They're the only two people I have a real connection too." Said Malik looking at him. "If that is what you wish then very well you all can come." Said Helios.

"Something else is going on, things have just gotten stranger since that encounter. One tests with force and another shows reason, Xanthus I only fight when i must. I'll go but only because something is up..." Tawnie replied as she checked her weapon, and then looked around as she had an image to maintain. She could fight and be very effective, though security was about keeping the peace and not enforcing it with violence. Even using conflict to test was not right, but why was the commander so hell bent on this path. "Xanthus, it's not safe here. Call it a hunch, I didn't get this far not trusting myself."

"I can see that. Very well get us out of here while you have the chance." Said Xanthus firmly. Helios nodded and a white light surrounded them. After that they all appeared to be sucked into it. Malik let out a startled scream not expecting that. It was seconds after that he smacked face first into the ground. The others had managed to land on their feet properly. Sitting up Malik said, "Ow... that wasn't cool." He was about to scream at Helios in anger but blinked when he realized they were in the middle of a flower field.

Xanthus looked around and realized they were on a planet now. He suddenly sneezed loudly and said, "Ick this is why I don't go near flower fields. Sensitive nose..." "What is this place?" Asked Malik in shock. "I welcome you all to Gaea." Said Helios. Malik stood up and said, "Do all the people on your planet have strange powers like you?" "Of course but I wouldn't call them strange they're very natural. Our powers rely on the stars of course. So alas we can use them anywhere. And I wouldn't call us weird when you have them too." Said Helios. "Oh next you'll say I can sprout wings and fly. I have no powers. I'm just abnormally strong." Said Malik with a huff.

"Malik you have only the power you allow yourself, it's me who has no actual powers. I'm not willing to give up, just what are we mixed up in." Tawnie stated and then looked around, this place was different, it seemed more like a world where there was more balance, and unspoiled by power and greed. Her gut had told her to do this, and she obviously was right to follow it. But now she had to know what was going on, why there was two sides and what seemed like a longstanding schism.

"She does make a valid point if you believe yourself to be weak. Your true power will be held inside you. Now then shall we. It's time for you to meet our lady of the house." Said Helios as they walked up to some stone steps. They begin the long walk up them.

Back on Tartarus Hades sat in his chair with a smirk. "So it begins. My little puppet has finally reached the destination I needed him to go too...." Said Hades softly. Pandora came walking over and said, "Honestly my dear. You should have killed him when you had the chance too. After all he is her sister. That woman is a wretch and I want her dead."

"What and spoil my fun? What better way to end her life by none other then by the hands of her little brother. Trust me Pandora. This is all part of my elaborate plan. First Gaea will fall then when her empire crumbles the universe will be ours for the taking." Said Hades. Pandora slipped her arms around Hades and said, "Just be careful. One wrong move and we could be defeated..." She kissed him then pulled away walking off disappearing. "Lives are so easy to toy with. Easy to break as well. This will be an interesting battle." Said Hades with a smirk.

Tawnie smiled and then placed a hand on Malik's shoulder, hope was the greatest power of all as it could reveal everything. "Let's just deal with this one step at a time, first we have to know what is going on." She then looked to Xanthus, and shot him a rather sharp look. "Don't push him for now please, we have to find out what is going on right now."

As they approached and entered the main palace where the ruler resided the gates opened and closed with ease, and walking down the halls awoman walked looking relieved. Rushing Malik she hugged him and looked him in the eyes, it was him and he was home again. "You had me so worried brother! You were missing and when news came you had been found.... Oh you have company too, forgive me. I'm Lunaria Malik's elder sister, please welcome to our home."

Malik just pried away from her and his head lowered as he said, "Don't touch me like that please. I don't know who you are and I don't get close to strangers easily...." He then went quiet. Helios said, "Lady Lunaria forgive him. His memory of you and this place is no more. I believe when Hades got to him the last time when your ship was attacked. The shock probably caused him to lose it all after the attack. And if anyone's to blame its us your loyal guard for not doing our jobs right." "So you're saying Hades is the one who cost me my memory? Just what happened that day five years ago." Said Malik.

"I'll explain. It was like any other day we were currently taking you and Lady Lunaria here back home after you two attended some sort of meeting for a potential. alliance. But we were careless. The ship got attacked and it was blown to bits. In between the whole mess you two were separated and we lost track of you. We thought you died that day along with nearly two hundred of the finest men and women we had. But apparently you some how escaped and that gap I cannot fill since I don't know how you did that." Said Helios.

Malik didn't know what to say. He just looked at them all and his head lowered. "You're joking right.... I'm a expert AI hacker.... and a wanted criminal at that.... I've stolen for the past three years from every place possible. And now you're saying I'm part of this line of nobility! How am I supposed to change from living one life to another! It's impossible! I am who I am now and want not part of this place any further!" Cried Malik in tears.

He then ran off and disappeared. "Damn it he wanted the truth and now that he's got it he has to act like this?" Said Xanthus. He quickly turned into cat form and sprinted after Malik. Malik meanwhile sat under a tree out in the garden crying.

"We'll have trouble then, if I know my commander she's gone to talk to him. Real force to be reckoned with, her ambition and his backing we might have a problem on our hands." Tawnie said just after Malik ran off, leaving Lunaria stunned that he would deny any of this. The truth was the truth but to see it so forcibly denied was troubling her, she would leave him be for now, but nothing could express how she felt right now. "Then forget about them, as for Malik he's not gone yet! What can we do to prove him this is the truth, is there anything?"

"My lady only he can decide whether or not he wants to believe the truth. I hope for his sake he wakes up and realizes soon enough." Said Helios. The doors suddenly swung open and Xanthus came in holding his side which was heavily bleeding. "Something... is wrong... you best get everyone to safety. I went after him and went to speak with him and he attacked me." A thud was heard and Xanthus collapsed to the ground.

The glass window behind Lunaria suddenly shattered and laughter was heard. Malik appeared floating up with a red aura around him. "No way that's his aura..." Said Helios. "My lady!" He yelled as Malik went straight for her. Grabbing Lunaria Helios got her out of the way in time as the ground suddenly exploded. "Hades got him. How could I be so careless to lead him right to our home!" Said Helios.

"Such a shame its come down to this. I shall end your life Lady Lunaria and then kill your brother afterward! Said Hades through Malik.

Lunaria saw this and cursed at her foolishness, this was a ploy of Hades all along and now she was the one who fell for it. "Get everyone out of here NOW! This is my mess, i will clean it up." She then focused on her controlled brother and pushed out a barrier to protect the others as they fled, fist the others then him. Though it was weird the human did not run but instead tossed her gun aside and drew a knife, she was going to throw her life away over this...

"Xanthus I don't care what you do, I'm not going to run. You said something before this began, now I'm going to do something." She said and flipped to a reverse grip, ready to fight him despite the danger.

Malik just laughed and said, "A little too late! I've slaughtered nearly have your court to begin with!" He saw Tawnie and said, "Foolish as they come I see." He landed and ran toward Tawnie at a fast pace a spear in hand giving her a slash across her side.