This particular entry deals with rape and its aftermath. If you are uncomfortable with those topics you may want to skip this one…..

loubug@zoomnet.net

Part 7

Otis hid beneath the collar of Robin's uniform. He could feel the commander's unconscious body give way to each blow she received. He knew she would feel the after effects of such treatment for quite a while. But what scared Otis the most was that he could not see who or what was striking the blows.

"Enough."

A loud voice filled the padded cell in which Robin had been taken to. The assault on the commander's body ceased immediately.

"Leave us."

Otis listened as heavy footfalls exited the room. Whatever had been in here may have been invisible but someone could see them. And someone commanded them.

"Commander Sword…we meet again."

The voice spoke to the unconscious form, unaware of the spec's presence.

"This time I will have the chosen one and you….Commander…will help me."

Otis listened as the warm voice turned to laughter and filled the cell. He could feel the chills running down him as the laugh grew bolder and more hysterical before fading into the distance.

The tiny spec rested his head against the back of the commander's shoulder. He could hear the steady rhythm of her heart. "Hang in there Robin…you're gonna make it…I promise.."

Otis listened closely to his surroundings. Finally, satisfied that they were indeed alone, he closed his eyes and thought of Abigail. Soon he felt her mind open to him.

"Otis….where are you…what happened?"

"Abigail…we are aboard a ship of some sort. I'm not sure the name of it. I haven't had time to maneuver. What ever it was that attacked us we couldn't see it. It was invisible."

"Are you going to be able to search the ship Otis?"

"Yes soon I believe. We are alone now…but I'm not sure when our friends will be back….Abigail….Robin is hurt. She is unconscious and wounded badly….what can I do?"

"Otis…listen to me. You need to stay calm and observe everything you can. Have you ever encircled someone before Otis?"

The small spec took a deep breath as he felt his hands begin to tremble.

"No Abigail I haven't….but I'm willing to try."

"Good….you need to make sure the cell is empty. When you are certain….make a circle of star dust around Robin. Make sure it connects completely together. This will protect her from any further harm. Do you understand Otis?"

"Yes Abigail…I will do as you say."

"Good. I must go to Sarah and speak with her. Monroe is waiting for instructions from Sarah. You must find out the name of that ship Otis."

"It will be done Abigail."

A soft moan filled Otis ears and he said his goodbye to Abigail. The commander was waking up and he needed to make sure she didn't move.

"Robin…don't move. You are hurt very badly."

The commander could barely nod her head in understanding. Pain ripped through her body. She tried to breathe deeply but the pull on her lungs told her that her ribs were broken.

Otis peeked out from under the black strands of hair that belonged to the protector.

'Otis….look with the eyes of love.'

The voice filled the small spec's mind. It was Luna. He could feel the warm feeling of love engulf him and as soon as he accepted it he could see the outline of a figure standing outside the door.

It looked like nothing he had ever seen before: half human and half beast. The creature stood at least seven feet tall and had the arms and body of a man and the head of a dragon.

Otis gulped loudly at the sight. He was determined that fear would not stop him from his duty. Slowly he crawled out from beneath the blood soaked collar of Robin's uniform. One look at her battered face and he was more determined than ever to protect her.

He began a slow flight around the woman in the cell. Her crumpled body still convulsing from the assault she endured earlier. Quickly Otis flew out around her, giving her plenty room to move about.

The star dust fell around the commander and as Otis connected the ring together a shimmering force field appeared around Robin. He smiled in satisfaction at his work.

No one would be able to touch the commander again. Now he had to find out the name of the ship they were on and who was commanding the ugly beasts that were swarming about the ship.

"We wait."

Monroe nodded his head toward Sarah. He was acting commander of the Phoenix but he would not disobey a direct order from the Commander's mate. He knew the bond they shared, for he shared a similar bond with Tom. There was a reason Sarah was so intent on waiting and he would do as she said. Until the safety of the ship and its passengers were at an ultimate risk.

Sarah turned and began walking back to her chamber. Monroe was about to stop her when Tom's voice halted his movement.

"Let her go love…she needs to be alone right now."

Monroe looked to his soul mate. "I'm worried for her." His brown eyes looked out the large window of the Phoenix. "For both of them."

"I know you are. I am too. But with the priestess here…she may be able to help us all."

Tom wrapped his arms around his lover and pulled him close. He placed a gentle kiss on Monroe's cheek and smiled as he felt his lover's body relax against him. Softly he whispered in Monroe's ear.

"We can only do so much. We must let Sarah try to communicate with Robin. If she can get through we will have a better chance at rescuing the commander."

Monroe closed his eyes as Tom's words soothed his weary soul. "I know love. I just feel so helpless."

Tom tightened his grip around Monroe, trying to comfort his lover the best way he knew how. Slowly the ex-commander began to hum and soon the warm glow of love surrounded the two men. They would wait as long as they could, taking comfort in each other.

"Sarah listen to me…."

Sarah picked up another object and slung it across the chamber. She didn't want to listen to Abigail. She didn't want to calm down. She wanted her soul mate back in her presence safe and unharmed.

"Sarah please…"

The blonde walked over to the large window and stared out into the blackness. 'I know you're out there Robin….and I'm gonna make sure you come back to me.'

"Teach me to fight."

Abigail's eye's widened in surprise. Those were the last words she had expected to hear from the small blonde.

"I can't do that Sarah."

"Yes you can…I know you can."

Sarah looked over at the spec, her gaze unnerving Abigail.

"I've heard the stories Abigail….the stories of the 'Keeper's of Orion'. How they turn men and women into great warriors to protect the gateway of the portal."

Abigail swallowed hard. She did not want to do this. And she wouldn't unless Luna told her too.

"DO IT!!" Sarah shouted toward the spec.

"I can't without Luna's blessing Sarah. And I'm not sure you really want to chose that path."

Sarah felt her anger growing. She closed her eyes and bit off a short retort to Abigail's words. She tried to calm herself, but she still felt herself speaking through clenched teeth.

"I'll tell you what I want Abigail….I want to become a warrior. I want to go out there and bring Robin home. I want…" Sarah took a deep breath as she heard her voice rising in anger.

"I want…you…to help me become that warrior Abigail."

Abigail was again ready to tell Sarah all the reasons why she shouldn't do this when she felt Luna's presence.

"Abigail…. It must come to pass that Sarah walk the path of the warrior.

"But Luna…why must she become a warrior at all?"

"Robin's life depends on it. But listen to me Abigail…Sarah can not become a warrior in anger."

Abigail waited for further instructions, but none were forthcoming. Luna was gone and the tiny spec was left to instruct Sarah on the ways of being a warrior. She drew a deep breath, and saw the determination in Sarah's eyes. It would be a long night.

"I will teach you Sarah. And I will give you the strengths you need…but you can not become a warrior while you are angered."

Sarah took a deep breath. She felt in heart that this was what was needed to bring Robin home. And she would do as Abigail instructed.

Sarah's mind flooded with all the decisions that lay ahead for her. Would she need to pick a weapon of choice? What type of moves would she need to learn….how would she be able to make her first kill. She could feel her blood starting to pump and the adrenaline in her body fueled her desire to learn all the combat skills required to safely bring Robin home.

Sarah took a deep breath, mentally gearing herself for the first lethal skill she would learn. She looked toward Abigail.

"What do I need to do first? Hand to hand…weapons…interrogation?"

Abigail smiled at the innocent blonde. It would be a bittersweet transformation.

"First you meditate."

"What…"

The tiny spec laughed out loud at the look on Sarah's face.

"We meditate Sarah. You must not be angry when you transition. You must clear yourself of all emotion."

Sarah hung her head in defeat. How could she clear herself of emotion when the person she loved more than anything was out there…..hurting.

Abigail sensed the turmoil inside Sarah.

"You can do it Sarah. It will be your greatest challenge and your sweetest victory."

Sarah looked up at the spec. Her emotions were running wild, but they all centered on one thing.

"For Robin."

Abigail nodded her head.

"Yes….for Robin."

In that moment, Sarah focused on what had to be done in order to bring Robin back home to her.

"I'm ready Abigail. Tell me what to do."

"Very well Sarah…let's begin…"

Tbc…..

Feed the bard…..still with me…..loubug@zoomnet.net

Thanks…..loubug