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Widow · (This post was last modified: 09-29-2012, 02:07 AM by Widow.)

The end of a reign of terror

Pita regained consciousness when Ruby picked her up and shook her slightly "Buster wants to talk"

She looked confused for a second "Bu... Buster?" Pita was trying to make sense of what had happened, everything ached and it hurt to move.

"Hey honey you alright?"

Pita began crying and shaking her head, she didn't have the energy to speak. If it wasn't for Ruby holding her up right she would already be on the floor. Ruby pushed her back into the cargo hold, pita cried out in pain as she hit the floor, she didn't move once the door was shut, Pita didn't expect to get out of this alive. There was the muffled sound of more voices through the wall before the door opened again.

"They want to hear your pretty little voice again kid. You tell them I laid a finger on you, your dead."

Pita was still crying when she spoke "Don't let.... Don't let her kill me..."

Ruby pushed her back onto the floor, there was multiple responses, they all sounded worried. Pita couldn't make sense of what an of them said, she covered her face with her hands and closed her eyes. All she wanted to do was rest, to wake up and everything be the way it was. The lights were too bright for her eyes, and her head ached where her hair was matted with blood.

"Please let me go Ruby...." She managed to whisper before Ruby kicked her in the stomach. It wasn't long before Ruby pushed Pita along the ground back into the cargo hold, telling her to be quiet. Pita lay still, watching Ruby with tears streaming down her face.

Pita flinched as the freighter was rocked by explosives and yelling of people entering the ship could be heard. Pita was confused, she wasn't sure what was happening but assumed it wasn't good. She put her hand over her pocket as Ruby made a sudden movement, pulling out a gun before walking over and grabbing Pita, pulling her upright and holding her tightly around the throat. Pita attempted to free herself, only to have Ruby tighten her grip and moving her to the back of the cargo hold. Pita closes her eyes as Ruby holds the gun to her head, it was almost exactly as she had seen with the nomad. There was movement and Pita opened her eyes to where it was coming from. She saw the men in their gear and her heart sank, they scared her, with their guns and helmets. A few moments later Lambert appeared behind them

"Lambert...."

Pita started trying to pull Ruby's arm from around her throat. She had a new sense of hope, he did come to find her, maybe she wasn't going to die at the hands of Ruby. Lambert disappeared into the crowd of people and Pita cried out in disbelief. He was going to leave her? A man pulled up the visor on his helmet and reached out for Pita.

"Come now..just let the kid - "

Pita was still trying to pull Ruby's arm away as she saw Buster enter the room. This made no sense to her, how was he here and not being shot? The countless stories, and the times she had seen it in the medical wings.... Navy always shot Rogues. Pita got pulled around with Ruby when she turned, there was silence before a single shot was fired. Pita squealed and covered her face, moments later someone had her in an embrace. Pita uncovered her face and realized who it was, the chaos around here didn't matter any more. Lambert had come back and he didn't leave. She hugged him, tears still silently streaming down her face, knowing everything was going to be ok.

Pita frowned, "Wait.... Buster..."

She looked around the cargo bay, seeing Buster standing there watching them. Lambert turned to look at Buster "You really do love her don't you?"

A man pulled his gun and pointed it at Buster "Don't you move, goddamn it!" The rest follow in suit, raising their guns.

"Buster, I'd suggest you leave this ship. I'm still willing to let you live." Pita watched him, as his eyes welled up with tears, and he nods.

"Wait..." Pita put her hand out.

"Pita honey, is this truly what you want?"

Buster asked, she hesitantly nodded, afraid of what his response would be. He looked at Lambert "Alright, James. you win...."

Lambert looked angry as a marine ran in letting them know two of their own had been killed. He scowled and looked at Buster. "Now leave. The girl wants to come with me...... Marines, let him go. We'll kill him some other time." The man who raised his gun first shook his head in disbelief

"Lieutenant..with all due respect...you're just gonna let him -leave-!?"

Lambert looked back across at Buster, like he was searching for something "Yes... He WAS trying to look out for the girl... Misguided, moronic attempt at helping her, but honest." Buster sighs,

"I will inform lord Moka that the girl and Ruby are dead.

The man looks annoyed, his gun still fixed on Buster he says to him "Get the hell off this ship.."

Buster ignores him, still speaking to Lambert "I want your word that you will do everything you can to keep her safe."

Lambert nods, "You have it, Buster. I will do everything in my power to protect her...... Now leave, before someone decides to itch their trigger finger."

He turns and runs to the evac shuttle with Pita in his arms. Buster goes to leave but hesitates "If... she wants to ever... see me... don't deny her of that alright?"

Pita looked at Lambert, waiting for his reply

"We'll see..."

Pita watches Buster turn and head toward his ship "I'll miss you..."

She said as he was about to leave, Buster was all terry eyed when he replied to her "I'll miss you too little lady."

Pita hugged Lambert again when they entered the evac shuttle, she wasn't feeling very good, the aches had just gotten worse since the adrenaline had started to wear off. She squeezed the bit of Lambert's shirt she had in her hands before passing out. Pita had come to, and found herself in a medical bay, Lambert was there, she couldn't help but grin a little.

"How are you feeling, Pita? Did she hurt you?"

Pita frowned, trying to make sense of what just happened, she went to move but stopped as pain shot up her leg. With this Pita nodded. Lambert nodded in return, looking angry, Pita was unsure of whether to say anything or not. "These doctors are going to take care of you, okay? I'll stay right here with you."

Pita nodded again, still trying to piece everything together. Lambert took her across to a hospital bed and took a seat near by. She flinched as the doctor touched her, he pulled his hand away and looked at Lambert. "It's okay, they're only going to help you." He said to her reassuringly. Pita seemingly ignored him, putting her hand into her pocket pulling out the bracelet. She struggled to get it on but managed to in the end, she looked at Lambert, her face emotionless"Only help?"

He nodded and she let the doctors assess her injuries. Lambert smiled as he saw the bracelet "I'm glad you still have that."

Pita smiled slightly in return "I didn't let.... I hid it"

Lambert nodded "Good thinking. Ruby won't hurt you ever again. Ever."

Pita frowned, lost in thought "And the monsters..... They will be gone, right?"

Lambert was silent for a few moments [ci]"Pita, I don't know. But I do think they won't be as bad any more. And they certainly won't hurt you."[/i]

"Where are we going?"

Lambert answered with "Somewhere safe...... Everyone, thank you for your help today. I... and Pita... cannot thank you enough." Lambert spoke to everyone over the comms. "Especially you, Cate. Couldn't have done it without you."

Cate blushed "Just some nerdy work, I'm glad things worked out alright."

Lambert smiled the first genuine smile he had for a very long time "Me too"

They were interrupted by a woman's voice "Right..Lieutenant, we need to talk."

Lambert shook his head "Admiral Baker, I'd be happy to talk with you as well. But I need to see to Pita first. I hope you understand."

Pita frowned, the name and the voice was familiar, but she couldn't place where from. Baker raps on the arm of her chair, softly. "I'm trying to understand, Lieutenant...We'll speak soon."

Pita slept through the transfer to the Missouri, she wake for the doctors check ups, or the treatment of some of her injuries. She was exhausted, the torment from the nomad and Ruby along with the malnourishment and dehydration she was suffering, had worn her out. She was having nightmares while sleeping. killing Marco, what was on the other side of the gate, Ruby falling to the ground next to her dead. Her mind was still trying to make sense of what had happened. The sandwich lady was there in her dreams, Pita didn't know her name, the marines in their gear, Lambert, and the monsters. Everything was disjointed and it jumped from one scene to the next in a shadowy recollection of what had happened. After many hours she woke slowly. She panicked, this wasn't where she fell asleep. She tried to pull the IV line from her arm and get out of bed, she needed to get out of this place. The white walls and bright lights, the people she didn't recognize. It scared her almost as much as the events past.

"Pita...?" Lambert looked up as he realized she was awake. With that she lay back in the bed. The rescue flooded her mind again. Things were going to be ok.

Widow · 10-03-2012, 12:53 PM,

For the first time...

Time passed and Pita was discharged from the care of the medical team on the Missouri. Lambert was waiting for her with a new ship, a small guardian. Pita saw this and was speechless, she couldn't believe he had not only rescued her from Ruby, but also put the time and money into getting her a new ship. He let her have a look around, she hadn't been this excited in a long time. After she took it for a small test fly, he turned to her and asked if she was enjoying the ship. She nodded and told him she did.

"I'm glad you like it. Are you feeling better now?"

Pita shrugged, she was mostly, but if she moved the wrong way she found she would still be in a bit of pain.

Lambert nodded, Yeah. It'll get better over time.

Pita frowned for a second "She isn't coming back though, right? Like... She's -gone- gone?"

"You mean Ruby? Yes, she's *gone* gone. Promise." Lambert smiled

Pita smiled the first genuine smile she had in years "You have no idea how that makes me feel.. Its... Its like I can be here without worrying about her finding out anymore. I don't have to worry... "

"I know. I can't even imagine how wonderful that must feel for you. And now you're... free, Pita. Free to start a new life." He started talking to another pilot for a moment, before turning back to her "Pita? Let's head on a little patrol."

She nodded and followed him through the lanes. "This is much better to fly then the arrow."

"I'm glad. It's certainly better armed and protected."

She thought for a moment, "It is. Maybe one day... If I learn how to fight, I wont get into trouble like I did again."

Lambert nodded "Yes. Being able to protect yourself is good... I can teach you a bit about flying that thing, if you want."

"Would you? Please?"

"I'd be happy to." He smiled "Let's go take a look in Colorado.. You ever been to Colorado, Pita?"

She shook her head, she hadn't been further north then New York. "Is there really heaps of places out here...?"

"Yes. This is one of many systems in Liberty, and there are many more beyond."

Pita asked about the systems, not entirely believing there was many different worlds out there to explore. "There are four houses in total. Well, five now, I guess. This tradelane in front of us goes to one of the other houses. It's called Kusari."

Pita looked toward the tradelane "Kusari. Sounds pretty."

"I'll take you to visit sometime, their space is quite pretty, yes. But the people there... not my favorites."

Pita was trying to understand what he meant, "Like... Hackers?"

He told her they weren't quite as bad, as they weren't at war with them.

"So.... Like Junkers?" She paused for a moment "It really is pretty here.. I've never seen anything like this before....."

Pretty...? I guess so. I definitely need to take you out and about, though. Colorado is a very industrial system, by Liberty's standards. Pita asked what he meant by industrial, he replied with "Lots of things are made here. But that gets messy so there is garbage and waste left around. We used most of the resources in this system up a long time ago." Pita was trying to understand why the system was still 'industrial' if there was nothing left to take, she decided in the end it was to look pretty.

"Let's go on to Denver."

Pita shook her head, she didn't know what he meant by 'Denver'.

"This planet in front of us. Lots of people live there. Do you know that many many more people live on planets than in space?"

Pita bit her lip, thinking for a moment "I've never been on a planet before."

Lambert stopped, shocked. "That's... wow... Well, we'll have to change that, then.... You know people were meant to live on planets like Manhattan and Denver, right?"

She shook her head, but didnt answer the question. Instead she asked another. "But... Why is there rocks and stations?"

"There's too many people now to all live on ONE planet together. So we have many planets, and we need ways to move between them to visit each other and stuff. And for that we need jumpgates, and for those we need people to build them, and so on. Plus there's a lot of valuable resources in space that can make people rich. So they went into space to get them."

"Is that how they made the different places? Different people went to find different stuff and found a planet to stay, and never came home?"

"One day I'll have to tell you the story of where all humans came from. But that's not a story for today"

They talked about stories for a while, and she decided she liked them if they had a happy ending. Pita admitted she had never been told a bed time story.

Lambert stopped looking thoughtful, "Pita, do you prefer warm temperature, cold temperature, or in-between?"

"I like the sun. So... warm."

"Pita, would you like to go down onto the planet here? See what it's like?"

She stopped for a moment, and started biting her nail "Am... Am I allowed to do that?"

"Of course you are! It's time you visited a planet"[/i

She nodded hesitantly and followed Lambert to the docking ring, entering the atmosphere of Denver. They flew over the city and out to the countryside. They flew over a large snow capped mountain range, and bough their ships down beside a lake. Lambert got out of his ship, and walked over to where she was setting hers down.

[i]"Don't worry, Pita. The air is completely safe to breathe. Your first fresh planetary air..."

***

He offered her his hand to help her down out of her ship, and onto a planet for the first time. She sat on the edge of her ship, her feet not touching the ground, frowning.

"Its so... clean like. So fresh."

" It is, isn't it? Denver is that way especially. Everything grows here, untouched by human hands..."

Pita looked deep in thought, asking if it was different to the trees on the freeports, Lambert told her it was all natural. Pita kicked off her shoes and took Lambert's hand as he helped her down from the ship, she winced in pain as she jumped down. Lambert kept a hold of her hand as they walked towards the lake. Pita pulled her hand free and ran to where some yellow flowers here growing, she picked one and skipped back. She took his hand again, and held the flower up in the other, smiling. "It's for you!"

Lambert was beaming as he took the flower "For me? It's so pretty, thank you." He tucked it under the medal bar on his uniform jacket.

Pita pointed toward the lake and asked what it was. "It's called a 'lake'. You know water, right? Well it comes from places like that. It's just a big pool of water, clear and clean, and it's been there for ages."

Pita laughed "So... Its just water that stays there to make people look at it and think how pretty it is? Can... Can I jump in it?"

"Yes! It might be a little cold, but it won't hurt you. Just don't go where you can't touch the bottom."

Pita let go of Lambert's hand and ran across to the lake, jumping into the water, squealing as she realizes how hold it is. Lambert stood at the waters edge and shook his head, laughing. "I warned you"

Pita grinned and told him he should come in with her, he smiled and carefully took his jacket off, putting it aside before joining her in the water. Pita laughed as she splashed him, hiding her face as he splashed her back. She jumped on him, and he started jumping around the lake with her on his back. She hugged him, smiling.

"I think I like lakes"

"They're fun, aren't they? We'll have to visit an ocean next. They're like lakes but much, much bigger."

"Ocean. Is it as exciting as it sounds?"

"Yes, it is. Enormous... stretching farther than the eye can see."

Pita frowned slightly and looked around, "So.. It goes further away then the hills there?"

"Yes. Planets are like that, they go on and on and on. Some of it is land, some is ocean. You could never ever see all of it without a ship to fly in."

Pita looked at Lambert in amazement "But they look so small!"

"They do from space, but down here they're huge."

Pita nodded for a moment before looking out towards the center of the lake. "Hey, James... What would happen if I go out where I can't touch the ground?"

"You'd have to swim. You wouldn't know how to do that, would you?"

Pita shook her head, asking if she should know.

"Well, if you go where you can't touch the bottom, and can't swim, you might... drown."

Pita looked confused. "And that's a bad thing, right?"

"It means you fall under the water and stay down there too long, and die. But it won't happen if you know how to swim...... So I guess that's something else I should teach you. Then you could swim out and around the lake like this..."

Lambert swam out to into the lake a little before returning back to where Pita was watching, looking excited. Her lips had started to loose color, she was getting cold. Lambert noticed this and suggested they get out and warm up. Back on shore Lambert wrapped Pita in his jacket. She snuggled into it and lay on her back looking at the sky.

"So, what do you want to see next? A desert? A forest?"

She looked at him, telling him he didn't know what either of those were.

"See the trees over there?" He points across the meadow, past their ships "That's the start of a forest. It's a bunch of trees all together like that. They're usually really big."

Pita nodded "So... A forest is lots and lots of trees? Do they like growing close to each other? I bet they don't get lonely.... Or sad."

"No, I don't imagine they do. There's lots of animals that live in the forests too to keep them company."

Pita laughed, missing the next part of the conversation, pointing at the clouds "Look! It looks like a guardian!" Lambert laughed."Those are clouds...... I think it's time to head to the city. Are you tired or hungry at all?"

"Clouds? They like to pretend to be things they aren't?" She didn't answer his question because she didn't want today to end.

Lambert chuckled "I guess that's one way to put it. They take lots of different shapes."

Pita grins "They are smart then."

"Yes, I guess they are...Let's go get you some yummy food. Sound good?"

Pita nods and looks back toward the ships "Like the sandwich..... The sandwich lady had that time?"

"Ah yes, the sandwich lady and her sandwich. We'll get you something even tastier than that.... let's go."

***

Lambert stood up and helped Pita up, holding her hand he lead her back to the ship. The two started heading back to the city, Pita still amazed at the beauty of the planet. They arrive back at the city, flying between the high towers before Lambert decides to set his ship down, Pita landed hers next to him. They two got out and headed into a small restaurant. It had a rustic feel, but it was comfortable. There was music playing quietly, just louder then the chatter of people. They took a seat by the window. Lambert handed Pita a menu, she looked blankly at it before opening it to see what was inside.

"You can have anything you want. Just tell the lady when she comes by." His PDA alerted him that he had a call. "Uhm, excuse me one second. Someone is calling."

He left the table, watching her examine the menu. She put the menu down and started biting her nail watching people walk past. Pita couldn't hear what Lambert was saying, She looked out the window at what she could see of the city. Pita looked across at Lambert, making sure he was still there, poking her tongue out when he looked at her, he did the same back, wagging a finger at her as well. She looked back out the window, seeing the sky lit up with colors. Pita looked at Lambert and mouthed the word 'wow'. He grinned and pointed out the window before giving her the thumbs up. Lambert closed the connection, and returned to the table.

"Incredible, isn't it? It's called the sunset."

"So.... The sun is happy? That's what it looks like."

Lambert laughed "Yes, I think so. He's happy because he's going to bed."

Pita laughed also before looking out the window again "If its like the bed on the freeport, I'd be happy too"

Pita picked up the menu again before shaking her head slightly and placing it on the table. "You don't know what any of those things are, do you?"

Pita shook her head and shrugged "I.... I don't know how to read."

A young boy walked up toward the table, holding something and looking nervous. Lambert looked uphim. "You're... Stewie? Let's make this quick." Pita frowned at the boy, looking confused.

"Um... Just wanted to say hello."

Pita, still looking confused nodded slightly "Hello."

"Here I hear the mean man say you liked these."

Lambert was sitting, silently, watching the awkward interaction unfold. Pita took the doll and brushed the hair out of its eyes. "Um.. Thank you, she's.. Pretty."

Pita looked up at Lambert, biting her lip. Lambert looked at Pita, nodding understandingly. "Here, let me hold onto that for you, Pita."

He took the doll and put it on his side of the booth, out of sight before looking up at the boy smiling. The boy was still staring at Pita "Your welcome. My name is Stewie." Pita smiled slightly before covering her face, trying to hide a yawn "Im Pita."

Stewie put his hand out to shake hers, before turning and running out of the restaurant. Pita watched him go with her head tipped to the side slightly.

"Boys will be boys..."

She nodded hesitantly before looking at Lambert.

"It's okay, Pita. These things happen sometimes." He stopped for a moment, thinking. "I guess it would be good for you to make some friends your own age..... Maybe not yet, though"

Lambert picked up the menu and began explaining the options to her. She was nodding as he went through the choices. They both decided on a meal. Pita enjoyed it, claiming it was the best thing she's ever eaten. Lambert took Pita to a small hotel just down the road from the restaurant for the night. Pita jumped into bed and snuggled into the blankets, waving Lambert over, she wanted a hug before she went to sleep. He goes and gives her a big hug.

"Good night Pita. We'll have another great day tomorrow.... You'll be safe here."

She nodded, yawning "I'm going to dream about the lake tonight... and the flowers and the sun being ha..." She fell asleep before being able to finish what she was saying

Lambert reached down to tuck her in, before quietly slipping out of the room, locking the door behind him.

Widow · 10-07-2012, 06:07 AM,

An un-expected guest

"Pita... Pita, it's time to wake up." She woke with a fright, rubbing her eyes, not sure where she was for a second. "Shh... it's okay Pita. It's just me. James. Everything's okay."

She looked around the room before back to Lambert "The monsters were there... "

Lambert frowned slightly "The monsters? In your dream?"

Pita nods, before grinning and jumping on the bed slightly. "But they aren't now.... You must have scared them away. "

Lambert smiled. " I'm good at scaring monsters away. Everything's okay now. Why don't you go get cleaned up... we have a visitor."

He gestured to the bathroom, but Pita just looked at him. "A visitor?"

"It's a surprise, you'll see. Now go wash up, and hurry! The visitor will be here any minute!"

Pita grinned and made her way to the shower, closing the door behind her. A while later, she turned the water off and started singing as she was getting dressed. She eventually opened the door, walking towards the bed trying to put on the bracelet Lambert gave her, she hadn't noticed the visitor and Lambert quickly jumping up looking uncomfortable after holding hands "Pita, our guest is here.... It's the sandwich lady. Do you remember her?"

Pita almost walked into the wall, poking her tongue out at it before putting the bracelet in her pocket and looking over towards Cate as she spoke.

"Hello Pita, remember me?"

Pita grinned "Of course, you had the BEST sandwiches! And you fixed my computer after the silly B'unter broke it." She laughed.

Catelyn's smile widened "I do have the best sandwiches, do you want some?"

Catelyn gestured toward the brown paper bag on the table. Pita nodded slightly and started biting her thumb nail again.

"Come on then" Catelyn reached her hand down for Pita.

Pita looked at Lambert "Can I?"

"Sure Pita. She brought them for us. It's okay, you can trust her." Lambert smiled reassuringly.

Pita grinned as she saw him take one, she took Catelyn's hand. "Ok" With her free hand she brushed her hair out of her face. Catelyn lead her to the table, and reached to get Pita a sandwich, giving it to her, smiling.

"You weren't kidding, these are [i]delicious!"[/i]

Pita took the sandwich Catelyn was giving her, tanking her before going to sit on the bed. "I told you so!" Pita grinned at Lambert's comment.

"Chicken cheese and mayo, the secret is the kind of mayo" Catelyn winked at Lambert "but don't tell anyone"

Lambert smiled at her "Well, thank you for bringing them."

"I aim to please... do you like it sweetie?" She looked over to where Pita was sitting. Pita nodded, while eating the sandwich.

"Silence, it must be good" Catelyn took the last triangle of sandwich left on the table. "Yeah, that's always a good sign when there's food involved. "

Pita finished the sandwich and lay back on the bed "That was even better then... then the one you let me have in space..."

Catelyn chuckled at Pita's comment "That's right Pita, I have better chicken in these ones, just for you"

Pita grinned "Really?"

"Why of course" Lambert finished his sandwich and looked at Pita "You know, Pita, Catelyn came all the way out to Denver to see you..... And I let her, of course. She is, after all, the main reason that we found you in Humboldt."

Pita frowned slightly, looking at Cate. "But I.... You know... Why?"

Catelyn hid her face slightly as she blushed at the praise, before going to sit next to Pita.

"Because James here told me all about you. He couldn't find where you were... So I helped him look. I helped him because I remembered the special lady I met in Galileo, and that special Lady was in trouble and needed help"

Pita looked at Catelyn, up to Lambert, then back to Catelyn. "I'm ok now. James scares away all the monsters and keeps me safe."

"That's because James there is big strong and tough and the monsters are afraid of him"[/i

[i]"Of course. All monsters are very scared of me." He chuckled slightly.

Pita grinned before brushing the hair out of her face again. "Hey... Catelyn...?" Catelyn looked at Pita, before Pita gave her a hug, thanking her for helping find her. Catelyn hugged her back.

"Hey, its ok, your welcome sweetie"

"Hey James. You know that forest thing you were telling me about.... Can she come to see one too?"

Catelyn looked across at Lambert as he spoke. "Sure, if she wants to. I'd forgotten that's what we had planned to do today. " Catelyn grinned at Lambert's smile. "Ready to go?"

Pita shook her head and jumped up, saying something about finding her shoes. She spent some time searching, before finding them by the door.

"Pita! Find your shoes yet?"

She ran back into the room, with her shoes on her feet. "Yep, they were hiding from me!"

"So we off then?"

Pita looked up at Lambert, smiling "Can we? Please?"

"Yes. You guys can follow me, I know just the place..."

***

Pita and Catelyn followed Lambert out of the city to a clearing in the forest, far away from civilization. Mountains surrounded the valley. He got out of his ship taking a deep breath of the pristine mountain air. Catelyn and Pita also got out of their ships. Pita looked slightly confused.

"It's beautiful out here" Catelyn turned and looked around where they had landed. She closed her eyes breathing the fresh air.

Pita, after trying to think of an answer looked at Lambert. "James.... How come they don't fall over?"

He held his hand out for Pita, asking if she wanted to go into the forest, she took his hand nodding. They walked towards the trees, Catelyn was following a few meters behind listening to the conversation.

"They grow up from the ground. Deep under the ground they have roots that keep them upright"

"So, there is stuff under the ground that holds them up?"

Catelyn couldn't help but giggles at Pita's question, quickly muffling her giggling as Pita turned and poked her tongue out at her, Catelyn simply smiled back

"Yes. Roots that are kind of like sticks. They stretch under the ground."

"Do animals have houses here?"

"Yes. Lots of animals live here. Some live up in the trees, like birds. Others live on or under the ground, like mammals."

Pita looked thoughtful. "Mammals?"

Catelyn was still a few meters behind, smiling, content in listening to Lambert speak.

"Yes, creatures with hair, and usually four legs..... Like... that!" He pointed to a squirrel in the tree in front of them. "That's a squirrel"

Catelyn rushed to catch up to where Pita and Lambert were. pita pointed out the squirrel excitedly. Catelyn nodded and brushed her hand past a fern on the forest floor.

"It's amazing out here"

"Does the grass not like the trees? There's none here.... Only the funny looking things there" She pointed at the fern.

Lambert smiled "I guess not. The grass likes the sun, and down here the trees block out most of the sun."

Pita nodded "I like the sun too....... Hey... James.... will the trees let me climb them....? "

"Yes, if you're careful." Pita grinned and looked around to find a suitable tree, she found one and pulled herself up the first few branches. Lambert made his way to the bottom of the tree waiting in case she needed to be caught.

"Can I go right to the top? If I'm careful?"

Lambert looked up at her "If you're [i]sure you won't fall and you can get back down again, I guess."[/i]

Catelyn went and took a seat on a log watching Pita climb higher into the tree.

"Its no different to hiding from... hiding on Alcatraz... But its better because because its here and I'm not hiding "

"And It's far more beautiful here right?" Pita nods, climbing higher. Not noticing Lambert's frown at the mention of Alcatraz.

"[i]Heaps more beautiful. You have no idea! The people are better too"[/i]

"Yes, and you never have to go back to Alcatraz again." He smiled as she waved at him, he waved back.

Pita eyed up a branch, just out of her reach, deciding if she could reach it if she jumped. Lambert warned her to be careful, so she decided against it, taking the long way to that level in the tree, slowly making her way higher and higher. Pita eventually couldn't climb any higher, and called down to Catelyn and Lambert excitedly. "Guess that I can see!"

"What can you see sweeite?" Catelyn asked.

Pita poked out her tongue, not realizing they probably couldn't see her.

"Pita, can you see a mountain?"

She shook her head "No! There's a baby birdy in its house!"

"Ooh, I bet that's a sight! Don't bother it. Just look."

Pita grinned "I'm going to call it Twistie, its so cute!"

She laughed as she almost lost her balance in the trees. Lambert looked up at her noticing the wind picking up.

"Better get down from there Pita."

She nods and starts making her way down the tree. Catelyn watched as she climbed down to the lower branches. Pita squealed as a gust of wind caused her to loose her balance, she fell from one of the lowest branches into Lambert's arms. She covered her face as she realized what happened before throwing her arms around Lambert's neck giving him a hug.

[ci]"Sweetie are you hurt?"[/i]

Pita grinned sheepishly and shook her head.

"That was close, Pita. Be more careful next time!"

Catelyn went to make sure Pita was all right, putting her hand on her shoulder she made a comment about Lambert's good catch. Pita looked at Cateyln, then back to James.

"James. I like Catelyn. She's nice. Can she stay with us too?"

Catelyn looked at James, not sure if it was a good idea or not, before turning to Pita as Lambert put her down.

"I'm only a comms transmission away Pita, I'll always be here for when you need me"

Pita looked slightly disappointed

"We don't even know where we're gonna live yet, Pita. And Catelyn has to work still, for DSE"

Catelyn put her arms out to give Pita a hug, Pita gave Catelyn a hug back "Sweetie, I can always make time to visit you. as often as I can" She turned to Lambert, letting Pita go "Denver is a short commute to work, and I do love the place so far... I might look into it for myself."

Lambert smiled a bit "We'll see what happens. We need to find a place to live, first"

Pita saw something in the trees and wandered off to explore, giggling as she got a fright when a rabbit bolted out from under the ferns. She shook her head and tried to see if there was anything else hiding in there, making sure she could still see Catelyn and Lambert. They were talking, so she decided to carry on exploring. She picked up a stick and poked a hold in a log, grinning as bugs crawled out. She watched them for a moment before looking up to see if she could see the bird in the tree from the ground. She shook her head when she realized she couldn't and went to see what was behind a rock, she still had her stick and started drawing pictures with it in the dirt after she lay down on her tummy on the rock. Lambert and Catelyn came around the trees sounding relieved as they found her. Pita stood up, covered in dirt.

"Pita, I think a storm's blowing in. We should probably go for now."

"It'd be bad to be out here in a storm, right?"

"Yes, storms are bad to be outside in. Let's get back to our ships."

Cate nodded "Come along now"

The three headed back to where their ships were, Pita holding Lambert's hand. Lambert shook his head sighing "You'll have to shower again, silly girl."

Pita laughed "I don't mind being silly, I had fun today."

"I'm glad. How about some more yummy food now?"

Pita thought for a second "Can I try some Ice cream?"

"That's a great idea, Pita. Follow me back to the city and we'll get you some. Catelyn can come too!"

Catelyn shook her head, muttering something as she saw she had messages waiting for her on her PDA.

"Sorry, I have to go... I promise next time though"

Lambert nods "That's okay, Catelyn. It was nice seeing you... Come visit again real soon. *He grins* That's an order."

Catelyn grinned as she saluted Lambert "Of course" She knelt down on one knee and put her arms out for Pita "One more hug for the road?" Pita grinned and went to give Catelyn a a hug, almost knocking her over backwards. Catelyn laughed and Pita looked up at the sky as it started raining. Catelyn let Pita go and smiled

"All right off you go now. I'll see you both later"

"Goodbye Catelyn" Pita waved as Catelyn's ship left the ground. She jumped into her ship and looked over to see what Lambert was doing.

" Ready to go, Pita?"

She nods and Lambert closes the canopy, rain splattering against it. The two take off and head back towards the city.

"Hey, James?"

"Yes, Pita?"

"I like staying with you."

He smiled "I like having you with me, Pita. We're gonna get ourselves a nice place to live too, does that sound good?"

"A nice place? You mean like a proper house?"

"Yes, I think so."

Pita checked her controls, making sure everything was normal.

"If we do... Can I have my own room? I've never had that before"

"Absolutely you can have your own room! And I'll even let you decorate it however you want."

She smiled "Really?"

"Really... Who knows, maybe you'll get your own bathroom too!"

Pita frowned, deep in thought "People can have their own bathrooms?!"

"Yeah... you didn't know that?"

Pita shook her head, trying to imagine how that would work.

"Hey, James..."

"Yes Pita?"

"Can you... Teach me how to read a story?"

"Yes, I think I can do that. It isn't going to be easy though... reading is hard. Are you up to the challenge?"

Pita nodded "I think, after all this stuff the past while, I think I am up to the challenge."

"Good. I love reading. Got a bunch of books you'd like to read when you're able..... Now, let's get you that ice cream. And then, maybe we can go look at some houses."

Widow · 10-23-2012, 02:03 AM,

Pita was sitting on the floor in her new room, she didn't feel well. She was drawing pictures, felt tip pens all over the floor and a few screwed up balls of paper around the floor of the rubbish bin in the corner. The door opened and gave her a fright for a moment until he spoke.

"Good morning Pita"

She grins and looks up at Lambert. "Good morning!"

Lambert looks around the room, a hint of a smile reached his face.

"How are you liking the new house? Seems like you've had no trouble decorating your room."

Pita nodded and jumped up off the floor, giving him the picture she was drawing and showing him where things were. She looked at the picture and pointed out him, Cate, and herself. They were all smiling and happy at the lake. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and glanced around the room, trying to find the other picture she had drawn.

"I drew another picture too, its somewhere here..... Unless the monsters decided they liked it and took it home. "

"Pita, don't worry about the monsters. They can't come here. Did you know that?"

She looked confused "But they can go anywhere, can't they?"

Lambert shook his head "This house is special, it's protected. You're safe here."

Pita nodded "Can monsters go on planets... Or can they just not come here?"

"I'm not sure about all planets, but they can't come here. I know that."

Pita smiled and looked out the window "Well, that's good.... But, what's making me feel funny then? Is there something else here?"

Lambert frowned slightly, looking concerned. "How are you feeling funny, Pita?"

Pita bit her lip and sat on the bed, trying to decide how to best explain how she felt.

"Well.... I feel... I don't know. I can't sleep, and my tummy feels funny."

Lambert nodded slightly, still with a slight frown "That's not good. I'll schedule you an appointment at the doctor for as soon as possible. For now, maybe I can give you some medicine for your tummy. Sound good?"

Pita looked down at her hands as she spoke quietly "I don't like the doctor...."[/i

Lambert sighed [i]"I know Pita. But I'll be with you the whole time. You want to get better, right?"

She nodded slightly playing with her nails. "Hey James.."

"Yes Pita?"

She looked up, looking around the room with a thoughtful expression. "I think I like the color green."

He looked around as well. "It is a nice color, isn't it? Probably my favorite, actually."

She grinned and poked one of the flower patterns in one of its petals "It is nice. The flowers are pretty too."

"Yes, they are. So, how are you feeling right now? Up for a little trip?"

She nodded, looking across at him "Where are we going?"

"How about a little tour of Liberty? At least the parts you haven't seen."

She grinned and looked down by the door, making sure her shoes were still there "Really? Can we?"

"Sure thing, kiddo. You ready?"

Pita picked up a coat that was draped over the corner of the bed and grinned "I am now."

"Alright, last one to the hanger is a rotten egg!"

He ducked out of the room, running toward the hanger, Pita followed poking her tongue out as he got there first. Lambert laughed and poked his tongue back at her.

"Too bad, kiddo. Maybe you'll beat me next time."

"I will beat you next time!"

They climbed into their ships, and headed out into space.

***

"So, first I thought we'd take a look at Kepler. It's an interesting system, with some big black clouds."

She nodded and laughed "Kepler? Sounds funny."

Pita went silent for a second as they made their way down the first tradelane. "So, how do tradelanes work?"

"That's an interesting question... They kind of... bend space."

She raised an eyebrow, the concept was one she didn't understand. "Bend it?"

"Like, when you're inside one, the space outside is much closer together than normal, which makes you go faster. It's a really fancy concept."

She nodded and laughed slightly. "It sounds it! Do I need to know it?"

"Not really. Just know that people can disable the rings for a short time, like those silly Rogues did back there."

"And then people have to go and fix it, right?"

"Not always. A lot of the time they recover on their own. But they have to restart the system, so to speak, which takes a minute or two."

Pita nodded. "Interesting....."

They eventually reached the jump gate to Kepler, Lambert asked Pita if she was ready to jump, she nodded, amazed by the fact that the gate wasn't shooting at her. Once they were through, Pita laughed.

"Well, its dark in this place."

"This is Kepler. There's one real base here, a research station where Zoners live."

Pita nodded. "Zoners are nice."

Lambert looked in the direction of the Freeport "Some of them are. Some aren't. Just be careful around them..... These clouds are made of dark matter. There was actually a dark matter storm here that caused a lot of damage many years ago."

Pita frowned "Really? Is that why it looks sad?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Can it be fixed?"

"It was all fixed, actually. But it wiped out the tradelanes and gates."

"So its fixed? It was worse then this before?"

Pita frowned slightly as Lambert pointed down the trade lane and told her about Kusari.

"Kusari, that was the place you were saying you didn't like very much, right?"

Lambert nodded slightly. "Yes. We can go visit them sometime, but not with Navy ships. Anyways, ready to head back?"

Pita grinned "They are silly if they don't like navy..... Sure, where are we going to go next?"

Lambert thought for a minute. "Well, you've been to Texas and New York, right?"

"Yep. Spent most my life there."

"What about Pennsylvania?"

"No..."

"Let's go there next."

Pita grinned and shook her head. "Space is SO much bigger then I thought it was!"

"Yeah, there's a lot more than just Liberty, too. We'll go to some of those places. You've been to California too, right?"

Pita tapped her fingers on her control panel to an imaginary beat of a song in her head. She didn't know why but she was beginning to become restless. Blaming it on the fact she was excited, she shrugged."Some of it."

Lambert smiled. "Maybe we'll stop there too. Visit Planet Los Angeles and see a beach."

Pita looked thoughtful "The beach is where the huge ocean is, right?"

"Yes, it's the edge of the huge ocean."

Pita grinned excitedly "That sounds [i]awesome.... I'm really looking forward to that. I think I like the water, its..."[/i]

Their conversation was disrupted by a males voice, Pita looked up and saw the bomber.

"Hello sir Lambert."

Lambert moved his ship between Pita's and the pirates, he spoke to her quietly. "Hold on, Pita......"

He looked across to the ship with the call-sign Falken'. "Ah, you're back.... With contraband. Lovely."

The pirate smirked. "As you can see... The repairs was not too expensive earlier?"

Pita, watching the two talk, started biting her nails. She had always stayed out of fights, only because she wasn't a very good pilot. At least, that's what she was always told. Pita did a quick system check, deciding if the pirate fired on Lambert, she would shoot him back.

"They were pretty expensive, in fact."

"You damaged my beautiful medusas too."

"But that bomber is going to be a lot more difficult to fight in."

"Ah you think so?"

Lambert sighed "How about this. I have other business to attend to. I'll let you go today, if you head straight out to Kusari or somewhere."

"That's a deal. You can live one more day then."

"Glad you made the smart choice. We'll meet again, I'm sure.... Don't let me see you back in Liberty right again, though. Head out of our space for a while, and I'll be here to deal with you later. Should you return."

The pirate raised an eyebrow, and looked at the two ships "Where do you want me to go?"

Lambert grinned slightly "How does Rheinland sound?"

The pirate thought for a moment "hmm...Not a bad idea."

"Good. Go bother them a bit. Happy to let you pirate there all day."

Pita made her way to Planet Manhattan, under Lambert's instruction while he escorted the pirate out of the system. Eventually Lambert returned and Pita sighed a breath of relief. "Who was he?"

[ci]"Who was who?"[/i] Lambert asked as he looked around the space outside Manhattan.

Pita grinned slightly. "That Falken guy, he wasn't very nice."

"He wasn't was he? I fought him earlier today one on one. But I'd rather have him bothering the Rheinlanders than waste time shooting him again."

"Was he any nicer then?"

Lambert laughed "No, he was shooting at me."

A females voice was heard over the comms, it sounded like Lambert knew her, Pita recognized it also.

"They have a habit of reappearing don't they?" She recognized the voice to be Josie.

"Yes. My fault for letting him get away the first time, I guess."

Josie nodded. "It happens"

"Well Pita, best get going. Pennsylvania is this way."

Pita nodded, before frowning, following them down the tradelanes "So, whats in Pennsylvania?"

Josie smiled slightly, "Nothing really"

Lambert grinned before looking over toward Pita, "Well, there are some Zoners. And big clouds of helium gas."

Pita nodded and poked out her tongue "Good Zoners, or bad Zoners?"

"Good zoners, mostly. They also have a nice planet."

***

Pita looked up, and noticed where she was, she started biting her nails as memories flooded her mind. Trying to ignore them wasn't working for her. She shook her head and looked at the map in her ship, realizing that was a bad idea as the first thing she did was look for where Buffalo should be, to see how far away she was so she wouldn't have to get any closer.

"I dont like this place... "

Lambert looked over at Pita, a frown of concern on his face "Don't worry, we're already out of the Badlands."

"Do we have to go back here?" Pita asked quietly, still looking at the map.

"Um, no, we don't have to. There's another way to go to California, actually."

"And Texas I think"

Pita looked up at him. "A jumphole. You know what those are?"

"Kind of, yeah."

The further away from the badlands they got, the more relaxed Pita became again.

"You know, it really is much nicer here then it is in Kepler. "

"Yes, I like this system a lot more." Lambert nodded in agreement "Kepler is rather... dreary."

"Its kinda drab here" Josie said offhandedly. "Then again I'm really picky"

Lambert hid a grin "Want to go look at the Zoner base, really quick?"

Pita nodded and followed Lambert and Josie towards a station by a planet. "You know, the Zoners were the first people to come here. They lived here before this was part of Liberty."

"So... Once upon a time, this -wasn't- part of Liberty?" Pita frowned and looked around trying to imagine what it would be like.

"Yeah" Josie nodded.

"The Zoners still own this station, though."

Pita was trying to make seance of the system still. "So, if it wasn't Liberty, what was it?"

"It was unclaimed, basically. Just the Zoners lived here."

Josie shrugged. "Its what they do... Heck the Zoners even have a nice big planet to them selves"

"Yeah, they go and find places outside of the houses to live."

Pita put the map away and looked at the station. "So, if they like to live in between places, why are they still here?"

"Well, not all of them wanted to leave when people from Liberty started moving here. So some stayed."

Pita nodded. "Makes seance"

[color=#696969]"We'll go to Gran Canaria on our tour, Pita. I've never been there but I've heard it's nice."[/i]

Josie smirked "I'm actually from there"

Pita looked across at her and asked "Is it nice?"

She nodded slightly "Some parts. Others not so much"

"So, a bit like New York then?"

"Well there's no trade lanes, only 1 or 2 stations so the space itself isn't very populated"

Pita nodded, in awe. It sounded like an amazing place.

"Alright, let's keep going."

"Thing with Canaria is you gotta be careful of the people. Some real nasty characters"

"Like the good Zoner and the bad Zoner thing we were talking about, James?"

He nodded, "Exactly, Pita. Though some other people live there too."

"Not everyone on Canaria is a Zoner. Zoners welcome all. Some people there are criminals. "

"Yeah, I've heard there are a lot of Corsairs there."

Pita refrained from giggling as she thought about Corsairs. "Corsairs? Is it true they eat people?"

"Some do" Josie responded

"I wouldn't know..." Lambert glared at Josie

Pita frowned. "Really? They do?"

"Only the really hungry ones"

"Josie, stop scaring her." Lambert shook his head.

"Sorry was I being too honest?" Josie asks innocently

"Maybe a bit... Remember who you're talking to." He shakes her head

Pita looked across at Lambert, "I've heard worse...."

Josie nodded in agreement "Same here. I've seen worse"

Pita grinned and looked down at her control panel. "Ruby was worse."

Lambert signed. "That's true."

"Yeah Jo-Jo told me about her"

Lambert looked up, and changed the subject by mentioning the planet they were about to fly past. "Up here's California Minor. They're still trying to terraform it."

Pita nodded, remembering not all planets had people on them yet. "So no one lives there?"

Josie shook her head "Some people do"

Lambert added "But it's not fixed enough for lots of people yet."

Pita nodded and shivered slightly as they took a trade lane through an ice cloud, mentioning the cold. "Yes, lots of ice. This is what's called the Barrier nebula."

They eventually reached the end of the trade lane, and Planet Los Angeles. Josie sounded slightly unimpressed. "Ah yikes, this puddle.."

Pita grinned at her and looked back at the planet, before asking "Because it all looks like water, does that mean there actually is lots of water?"

"That's right. Most of the planet is oceans. Want to go see it?"

Pita bit her lip. "Can I?"

"Absolutely."

The three slowly brought their ships down to the planet, flying past the main beaches out to a small secluded island. They put their ships down on the sand, Josie keeping hers away from Lambert and Pita's. They got out of the spaceship, Pita was silent, to her, this was beyond words.

Widow · 11-15-2012, 03:59 AM,

The three fly past a few cities and smaller towns until they arrive on a small, quiet island. Lambert and Pita put their ships down next to each other, Josie moves hers slightly away from the groups. They climb out. The beach is wide with white sand, and the water is blue and clear. Palm trees sway in the breeze. Lambert puts his feet on the sand and immediately reaches down to slip his shoes off.

"What do you think, Pita?"

"You weren't kidding about the big thing.... " She grinned as she looked around "This is... Woah."

"Pretty different, isn't it? You can go put your feet in the surf if you want." he nodded in the direction of the water.

Josie climber on top of her spaceship as Pita took off her shoes and giggled at the sand beneath her feet.

Josie nodded "Surprised this place hasn't become a cluster of housing towers"

Lambert smiled "I still know a few quiet places here, though they are few and far between."

He watched Pita as she made her way down to the water, occasionally kicking up some sand, laughing.

"We gonna be around enough for a swim?" Josie asks

Lambert shrugs "Sure, I don't have anything else to be doing at the moment."

"Nice." Josie climbs back into her fighter and re emerges in a swimsuit and a towel

"Dang, wish I'd thought to bring one....." A thought strikes him. "Pita, want to start learning to swim?"

Josie runs towards the water and jumps in once the water is deep enough

Pita looks back at Lambert "Learn to swim? Now?"

"Do you want to? We can do it some other time if you'd rather."

Pita grins "Can we start now?"

Josie emerges from the water looking over at the two of them "The waters surprisingly nice"

"Sure, We can start now. I have a change of clothes in my ship anyways." He peels off his jacket, and runs into the water wearing pants and t-shirt.He reaches a depth where he can just barely stand up, and beckons to Pita. Pita follows him into the water in her shorts and singlet top Stopping when it was getting too deep for her. Josie dives back under the water and swims around. Pita watches where Josie dived under the water in awe.

Several feet still separate Lambert and Pita. "So, the first thing you need to learn is how to tread water."

"You do it like this." He shows her before stopping and explaining what hes doing. "It's about pushing down with the hands and kicking a little with the legs.....Take a few more steps and try it. Just keep your head out of the water."

Josie emerges from the water and watches Pita and Lambert, as Pita attempts to tread water but fails, managing to get back to where she was she frowns, coughing.

"Here, let's try it a different way." He steps to her, lifting her up with his hands and carrying her back into the deeper water. "Now, I'm going to hold you here, and I want you to just do the pushing and kicking." He holds her out in front of him, her head well out of the water.

"You know what you are doing right Lambert?"

Lambert glances to Josie. "Yeah, I think so." He smiles.

Pita realizes she can't touch the ground and refuses to let go of Lambert's arms

"It's okay Pita. I've got you. Just try and tread the water."

"Don't worry Pita, If anything happens, Me and Lambert are here"

Pita nods hesitantly, and attempts to do what Lambert showed her again, un-co at first, but slowly getting the hang of it. "That's it, keep up the kicking and pushing. I've got you."

"Like this...?"

"Yes, just like that! Perfect." He can tell she's doing it right, so he slowly and carefully removes his hands.

After a few moments, she realizes he's let go and panics. Josie seeing this rushes over to Lambert and Pita. He reaches out to grab her again, smiling. "You were doing it without me holding you for almost a whole minute! You can do it! Just trust yourself."

Pita puts her arms around Lambert's neck and shakes her head. "It's okay." He pats Pita's back. " We can stop for now if you want."

She nods a little "So... Almost a minute?"

"Yeah, you were doing great! The only reason you fell was because you realized I wasn't holding you and stopped."

Pita frowned slightly. "You let me go. "

"Because you didn't need me holding you anymore. And I was right there to grab you if you fell, wasn't I?"

"Once you get the hang of it, it becomes as easy as walking" Josie added.

Pita grins and shakes her head "It can't be that easy... "

"Oh, it is." Lambert smiles and nods. "Anyways, I think that's enough fun in the sun for today. We'll do some more work on swimming again soon."

"So...If I keep trying, I'll be able to do it easy?"

"Yes. It just takes some practice."

Josie nods. "Well I better push off. Got work and such. Stay safe you two" Josie heads back towards the beach.

"Bye Josie. Was nice having you with us."

Pita waves as Josie walks away.

She looks back out at the two once she reaches the beach "Hey Lambert, don't be a stranger. My door is always open. I ain't far from Cate's"

"Sure thing, I'll say hi when I'm next around." He looks at Pita [ci]"Well Pita, about ready to head home?"[/i]

Josie climbs into her fighter and closes the cockpit, a few minutes later the fighter takes off and Josie waves out the window. Josies fighter accelerates and vanishes into the distance.

Pita nods "But, I saw something I want to get back on the beach first....."

"Oh? Okay. I'll meet you at the ships, then." He walks out of the water, dripping wet. He slings the jacket over his shoulders with a grin and walks up the sand to his ship.

Pita wanders a few meters down the beach, frowning slightly looking at the ground, seeing what she was after, she picked it up and skipped back to the ships.

He watches her skip up "What's that you've got there, Pita?"

She smiles and holds out her hand, she has a small blue/green colored shell "Its pretty. "

"Oooh, a seashell. And an especially pretty one too!" He smiles and nods as she asks if she can take it home. "Absolutely. Put it in your room to remind you of today."

Pita grins and puts it safely in the ship before picking up her shoes from the beach.

"Got everything? Ready to go?"

She puts her coat on over her wet clothes as she was getting cold and climbs into her ship while nodding. "Yep"

They take off and head for space. There was a few moments silence before Lambert decided they would take a different route home. "Pita, we'll go home a different way. See one more new system. Sound good?"

"Yep, it sounds very good."

"This is Ontario we're going to."

Pita looked at the gate as they were about to jump through "What's in Ontario? "

"This system's a bit more wild than the rest of Liberty.... Can be pretty dangerous."

Pita frowned as she made her way away from the Xenos that were shooting her ship. "They shot me!"

Lambert nodded "Follow me. The mean Xeeners won't be able to keep up."

Pita poked her tongue out as she got away from them "They are even meaner then that man earlier.... "

"Yeah, Xenos don't really like anyone."

"And it doesn't seem like anyone likes them.... Not that I blame them, I don't like them because they shot me. "

They made their way through to a jump hole through a rocky field. Jumping through, Pita soon realized they were near home again. "Yeah. And here we are, back to Colorado... How about a special lunch once we get home?"

She grins "Can we?" Pita thinks for a moment before saying matter-of-factly "California isn't really -too- far away, is it?"

"No, it isn't far. How does a special grilled cheese sandwich sound?"

Pita thought for a minute "I don't know what it is, but it sounds awesome. "

"It'll be delicious." Lambert grins

"Hey, James. "

"Yes Pita?"

"There's a lot I wasn't told... back with them, right?"

"Yes, a whole lot."

She frowned "Why didn't they tell me stuff?"

Lambert sighed slightly "Because knowledge is power, and they wanted to keep you under their control..... If you thought they were the whole world, you wouldn't even know you *could* run away.... Does that make sense?"

Pita nods "I didn't think I could go until you were there."

"I know. They did that to be sure you wouldn't. But they were wrong, weren't they?"

Pita smiles "They were very wrong."

Lambert smiles back "Now let's go have some grilled cheese!"

Pita laughs "Yup, that sounds like a good idea."

The two of them fly their ships past the cities out to their new house. Pita couldn't explain how she was feeling, but she didn't want to. The warm feeling inside was something special to her. Something that told her she was home.

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