New Fic: Into the Stars

[bluemote]

Hello everyone, hope you enjoy. Please let me know if you do, or dont as the case may be...



xox

bluemote



Title: Into the Stars

Author name: bluemote

Email Address: drop a line to my ezboard address at first please

Rating: Possibly R for violence later, but at the moment PG, I’ll let you know if and when things change.

Disclaimer: I acknowledge that ME and JW own the characters of Willow and Tara. However, this is very AU, so, yeah, well, any silliness is mine… No spoilers for episodes although I may swipe some dialogue in later chapters…

Feedback: Yes, yes, yes. Please and thank you.

Summary: A very AU fic, set in a sci-fi universe. The first few chapters are a kind of background, but I promise Willow and Tara goodness later, along with some of the others from the series. I’m hoping to update the summary with more of the main story if anyone likes the first parts…



Notes: Thanks VERY much to wytchi for beta-ing and being so nice when faced with my infrequent submissions, moving house rants, and general rambles



Titles are NOT my speciality - in fact I’m desperate for suggestions if anyone feels inspired. I will grovel if necessary.



Also, please let me know if anyone would like to see the dialogue in italics or some other format if it is difficult to read at the moment. Apologies in advance for typos and crimes against grammar.



Part One: The Child



The child runs fast on the grated steel floors, manoeuvring swiftly around the adults in her way and leaping over exposed wires. In her short time at the base she has found every passageway, every empty duct, and every place where the engineers congregate to worry over circuitry and weights. She listens to everything they say, follows them in and out of engine rooms, garages, and laboratories. She carries their tools, their lunches and their clean clothes. She hands them rags, grease, paint and soldering irons, takes away the twisted scraps of metal they leave behind.



She is maybe eight or nine, small and skinny. Her bones show under a ripped and mended grey tunic, and her trousers are patched around the knees. When still, she holds herself tense, ready to run again, and her pale skin is marked with fading bruises.



But for now she runs with grace, and without shoes she makes no noise. Most see only the flash of her red hair as she passes head down, her sharp features fierce with concentration.



Now she jumps, landing without fear at the base of the short steps that slowed her journey before turning sharp to the right. The room she enters is dark apart from the glow of computer consoles and a faint orange light spilling from a floor duct. She runs to the edge of the duct then stops, hesitant at the sudden arc of light from a welder’s torch that sparks up towards the floor. The burning blue light flashes once more as she watches, then the torch is thrown up onto the floor and a pair of hands are gripping the ladder leading down into the duct. The girl stands silently as a tall figure emerges stretching into the gloom and faces her.



“Hello again, kid. Hope ya closed your eyes when I was welding there. I can barely see myself it’s so dark in here. Still, maybe a bit more welding and we’ll get some permanent light? Whatdya think munchkin? Got any food?” The speaker pats his stomach hungrily.



The girl grins wide and hands him a paper wrapped package and flask from a grubby backpack.



“Are you going to sit with me or am I gonna have to be here myself then? Course, whoever has lunch with me might need to talk a little, I mean, what’s the point of havin’ a conversation if there’s only one of ya talking?”



The tall man sits, his long legs dangling into the duct. The girl watches the orange light from below light his narrow face, and smiles at his dark eyes. He pats the space next to him, inviting her to sit.



“There’s a spot here if you want, there might even be some of this lunch left. Let’s see, we have us some bread, some cheese, uh… and what’s this? Cake I think… yup, cake. So, if you take the stinky cheese I’ll have the cake. Fair?”



He holds out the cheese to the girl, now sitting across from him.



“Yeah, super stinky cheese. With mould I think too. Well, we all know that growing girls need stinky cheese. Wouldya agree?”



The girl, still grinning, shakes her head until her short hair spins out into a red blur. He pushes the cheese forward under her nose.



“Mmmmm… stinky cheese, yum, yum. Made from rats I’m sure, or maybe frogs.” He grins as he continues to wave the cheese under her nose, and she responds with giggles.



“Do ya know what cheese is made from?” He tries again, hoping for an answer now that the girl is laughing. She looks up at him, still giggling, and he notices the bright green in her eyes, the sudden light in her expression as she smiles. She nods enthusiastically, brushing the red strands of hair from her eyes.



“Well, what’s it made of then? Slugs? Snails? Worms? Yeah… I think worms. Mmmm worm cheese is the best.” He teases her. She shakes her head even harder as he continues,



“Or maybe it is frog. I know! It’s frog juice! Nice green frog juice, coloured yellow with bees and squashed into cheese shapes. Boy, I’m sure glad I figured that out. How could I let a little girl eat something when I didn’t know where it came from?! Course, now that we know that it’s only smashed up frogs, you can eat it right away.”



He tries again to give her the cheese, but now she is laughing so hard her arms are clutching her stomach. He laughs too, at the sight of the happy girl, and at the ridiculous monologue he’s been conducting on her behalf. Finally, her breathing slows and he hands her half of the bread folded around some of the stinky cheese. He slices some of the fruit in the package for her, and halves the cake.



The girl eats very fast, solemnly biting and chewing without looking up. She glances up at the man when he offers her the fruit, seeking his approval. He smiles kindly, trying to relax her, to make her understand that he wants to share, that there is plenty for two. They have been eating together for weeks, and it is only recently that she will even eat all of what he gives her, although it is clear that she is hungry. He gives her the cake that she won’t take for herself, and then gives her his piece too.



“Who wants to eat cake anyway?” he teases her as she hesitates, “I’d much rather have squashed frog, forget all that sugar and chocolate. Oh yeah, give me amphibians any day, dried, pickled or squashed!”



The girl giggles again and reaches for the sweet.



“It’s ok kid. Eat it, there’s plenty more.” The man spoke softly this time, watching the girl hesitate. “I like sharing lunch. Friends share, don’t they? And we’re friends aren’t we? I hope so anyway.”



She looks up from her cake, chewing fast. The muscles in her legs tense, but she doesn’t move. The tall man is still too. He smiles gently.



“Ya don’t have to be my friend. It’s only if you want. I mean, you bring me my lunch and everything, so I figured you think I’m alright.”



The girl relaxes a little and nods. He feelsthe air lift, the light in the girls eyes return brighter than ever. They sit silent for a minute, the man hoping that his directness might help, that the little girl might understand him this time and not run. Her green eyes study him with a fierce questioning, and he returns her stare without hesitation.



Finally, she bends to pick up the empty food wrappers, avoiding his gaze. She puts them back into the bag without noise, stepping quietly around his lean back. The man is silent still, hoping for some sign, but disappointed at the lack of reaction from the girl. She picks up the pack, facing him again, and raises a hand to wave. Turning, he saw the characteristic flash of red and she was gone.



The man sighs, a sadness weighing on him, his efforts to communicate useless again. He waits for the slight sounds of the girls’ feet on the steps above him before returning to work, but hears nothing.



Worried, he peers into the gloom. At the corner by the stairs he picks out her pale face watching him.



“Kid? Are you ok? Is something…” he stops as he sees the girl smile.



“Cows, silly,” she whispers “Cows make milk and that makes cheese.”



She talked. After four months she talked…



She grinned a little more as he stood speechless, and then was gone in a whirl.



Giddy, the man practically skipped to the intercom. He grinned wildly at the screen before punching in his communication codes.



“Tobias. This is Virid. You’ll never guess what! That little redhead kid…she talked, she finally talked. And she ate cake, and frog cheese and everything! And she smiled, and her eyes were all sparkly and Tobias! Where are ya?”



Virid stared at the tiny screen, willing the green glow to change to the face of his friend and leader talking.



“Virid. This is Tobias. I hear you, but there’s no visual here. Please confirm the news” The voice was deep and warm and Virid could tell that the older man was happy.



“The kid. She talked. She finally relaxed. She was fine, she ate cake.” Virid felt like a kid himself, he was so excited.



“Oh that’s tremendous news.” Tobias’ reply was swift. “Thank you Virid, thank you. I knew she would eventually. Let’s take it slow though, carry on with your lunches, take it easy.”



“Don’t you want to talk to her? Tell her who you are, what we are, that we tried to help? She’s so scared, maybe we could…”



Tobias cut the other man off,



“Virid, I know she’s scared. So far you’re the only one she’ll be around for more than a few minutes. Let’s just take it from here, not push her into anything. She’ll be fine. She’s strong, I mean, it’s amazing she survived, never mind made it here. Why don’t you come over to my quarters later for something to eat and we’ll talk about it then. And I’ll relay the news to Alide, she’ll be pleased too.”



“OK, OK!” Virid replied, still overexcited “Hope ya got some cake, “Cos she ate all mine!”



“Relax Virid. We can talk later.” Tobias ended the exchange, but with an amused note in his voice.



Virid sat back down above the duct, smiling happily to himself and making no effort to disguise the tears in his eyes. “What a foolish man I am… This old soldier cries cos a little girl tells him about cheese. Who’d have ever thunk it?”



**********

thanks for reading

Edited by: BytrSuite at: 10/13/03 10:18 am

[justin]

That's a very interesting start to the story. I've got no idea what's going on but it's still very interesting.



Is the red headed girl Willow? and why are those people interested in her?



I guess I'll just have to wait to read more to find out.

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[Spot]

hey! this is very good so far, you've got me hooked even before we really have an idea of what's happeing. update soon?

-michelle

[BytrSuite]

Hey bluemote, interesting start to your story. It's very intriguing. I can't wait to find out where all this goes.



You have a very descriptive style and made it very easy to feel how big a deal it was for the little girl to finally talk. Very cool.



I like the format you are using for the dialogue.

________
"Oh, good! I was hoping to add theft, endangerment and insanity to my list of things I did today."
"Ah! You, too?"
(Stitch laughs delightedly)

[WintersDreamer]

Great !!



I really want to know the whole background behind little Willows silence!!



Looking forward to more!

[Wytchi Grrl]

Great to see this on the board



Everyone is in for a treat

---

Witchcraft Grrls

[fluffylamb]

Little Willow not talking? That's as AU as it gets! Even a nearly silent Willow is a little smartie, though. The dialogue is very authentic, the way a caring adult would use silliness to draw out a shy child. The contrast of this young child in a very well described industrial place is striking. It seems that the little redhead is in well-intentioned hands now, but it sounds like her history was pretty grim to make her as quiet and skittish as she is. I trust that we'll soon learn more about her past and about the people caring for her. I look forward to this being expanded and to reading how Tara's history unfolds. Very good start, bluemote.

"In fluent aphasia the subject talks at great length, but are unaware that what they are saying makes no sense."
Art said, "I know a lot of people with that problem." -Kim Stanley Robinson's Blue Mars

[good2cats]

Hi,
Nice start I am very fond of scifi I can't wait to read more.
Be well,Karen

[bluemote]

Hello everyone,



I'm glad you enjoyed the story so far. Things will get clearer... um.... soon I hope. I know that the mysterious young redhead is not likely to be quiet, but that should come out soon too....





Thanks to anyone who read, and thanks so much for the replies.

justin glad you are enjoying. i hoped to be more subtle but i think everyone figured out who the redhead was...



michellethanks



BytrSuite thanks too for the feedback, i'm glad you found the dialogue ok to read. thanks also for giving me a pretty graphic for the rating hope you like the next part



WintersDreamerGlad you enjoyed. All will be revealed soon(ish, well, um, maybe)



Wytchi Grrl THANKS! Without trusty beta readers where would we be eh? Well, here, but not half as cool. I just checked out your web site, didn't know you had one before - it's great - very well designed. and of course, the more glitz, the better...



fluffylamb Thanks for such detailed feedback. i'm sure willow will find her voice soon...



good2cats Glad you enjoyed. hope you like the rest.





Anyways, here is the next part - all the same disclaimers

apply. It's still kind of an introduction, but I hope nobody thinks it's a bit floaty





Title: Into the Stars

Author name: bluemote

Email Address: drop a line to my ezboard address at first please

Rating: Possibly R for violence later, but at the moment PG, I’ll let you know if and when things change.

Disclaimer: I acknowledge that ME and JW own the characters of Willow and Tara. However, this is very AU, so, yeah, well, any silliness is mine… No spoilers for episodes although I may swipe some dialogue in later chapters…

Feedback: Yes, yes, yes. Please and thank you.

Summary: A very AU fic, set in a kind of sci-fi universe. The first few chapters are a kind of background, but I promise Willow and Tara goodness later. I’m hoping to update the summary with more of the main story if anyone likes the first parts…



Notes: Thanks again to wytchi for beta-ing, and for invaluable feedback.



Part 2: The Machine



The child sits still now. She remains small, but not so thin. No bones are jutting and her face is more rounded owing to her stay at the base. There are no bruises, save a few scrapes on her hands, and she has relinquished the continuous urge to run. She sits on a dark red couch, legs swinging out from under her still patched clothes.



She is awake, alert to every sound, every light. First she studies the shadow patterns made from the blinds, then the rough wooden boards on the floor. Her eyes trace the corners of the dark walls, the instruments on the old desk. As though saving the best for last, she eventually lets herself inspect the glowing console half assembled on the desk, the electrical channels built into the nearby wall, the communications ports tracing delicately from the desk around the room. The connections are part of the structure of the room, their metal threads trailing into unexpected nests of geometric maps and shapes. Visual display screens slot into the surface of the desk like oversize dominoes, some lit and some transparent.



The girl follows the connections swiftly, her green eyes mesmerised by the pale mesh of wires and lights. She stands without thinking and walks towards the machine rapt with concentration. Her fingers trace the circuits built into the wall, moving at right angles along the connections. Swiftly, she follows the maze to a junction, lit behind in pale blue, and peers into the crystalline matrix where pathway upon pathway are superimposed onto each other – here the machine layers deep into the wall. She stops, small in comparison to the hugely intricate network in front and all around her.



From the desk the girl takes a small transparent cube packed with wire and lights and returns to the pale blue node of the machine in the wall. Without hesitation she presses the surface of the wall and a clear panel protecting the machinery springs out and to the side. Quickly, her fingers work at the matrix of cubes and conduits inside, moving the components around like a puzzle, changing and turning the arrangement of lights as she works. Pathways fuse and break, accompanied by the soft flash of indicator lights that highlight the concentration on her delicate face as she works. She is fully absorbed, a child conductor of mechanics, a weaver of wires and light.



Finally she pauses, retrieves the original cube from her pocket. The fierce concentration she used to reserve for running is shining from her face while her fingers move the cube steadily towards a gap in the circuit. It slides into place with a faint click, then a steady hum. The circuit lights flicker as the cover moves back into place. She watches rapt with hope.



Suddenly, the lights in the wall swarm into the circuitry. The low hum multiplies to become harmonic. The wires crossing the room are filled with motes of light, making thin and changing rainbows overhead.



In amongst it all, the girl stands mute and tiny, watching what she has created. In the maelstrom of light, the swirl of electronics, the live hum of complex logic, she stands and smiles so pure it makes those who see it remember to be glad.

[BytrSuite]

Very nice. Glad to see that Willow is adjusting nicely and being made to feel safe. I like that she is obviously very intelligent, even at such a young age.



Can't wait to see how this all plays out.

________
"Oh, good! I was hoping to add theft, endangerment and insanity to my list of things I did today."
"Ah! You, too?"
(Stitch laughs delightedly)

[bluemote]

Title: Into the Stars

Author name: bluemote

Email Address: drop a line to my ezboard address at first please

Rating: Possibly R for violence later, but at the moment PG, I’ll let you know if and when things change.

Disclaimer: I acknowledge that ME and JW own the characters of Willow and Tara. However, this is very AU, so, yeah, well, any silliness is mine… No spoilers for episodes although I may swipe some dialogue in later chapters…

Feedback: Yes, yes, yes. Please and thank you.

Summary: A very AU fic, set in a kind of sci-fi universe. The first few chapters are a kind of background, but I promise Willow and Tara goodness later. I’m hoping to update the summary with more of the main story if anyone likes the first parts…



Notes: Lots of thanks again to Wytchi for being a brilliant beta reader



Thanks bytrsuite, glad you're enjoying..



Again, this is part of an intro, so bear with me for one more part before we reach the here and now story…



Part Three: The Man



Later.



The room with the machine is quiet now and empty.



A crash outside and Virid enters, having left a large bag next to the door. He turns on a light, but is wary of the machinery tracing above his head. In this brightness, it is easier to see his features, to watch his long legs fold themselves onto the same couch where the girl sat and where he now sits drinking from a steaming mug.



He is cleaner now than when he worked on the base fixing and welding, his patched overalls replaced by a dark blue tunic with silver stitching worked into the right arm and heavy trousers. His face is clean and his hair tied neatly down his back with blue ribbons, but he sits awkward with brown, flat eyes.



He waits as the girl did and fights the urge to fidget. He feels as young as she is, maybe as scared as she was when they found her those few years ago. Despite himself he feels small, jitters at the dark, wants to be picked up and held. He picks at his tunic for some reassurance in the symbols and they calm him, but only for a while before the stars in the design remind him of what he is about to do.



The girl worked it out. She fixed what they had been half fixing for years. She walked in and did it straight away to give them the confidence they needed for an attack. Without the machine there was no respite from fixing and mending, from scraping a living from the land. The machine freed them, as it should have done when they arrived, as they trusted it to do. It really meant something, meant they had a chance.



But the chance also meant they had to do what Virid had been preparing for his whole life. He knew it, knew that he was meant for it, but it didn’t make doing it any easier. He had to leave, had to fight against something so dark and so big that he could not be sure that he and the others hadn’t already lost.



Virid swallowed his doubt. He was a commander, a pilot, a soldier. He was brave, he had fought and won before. His soldiers had to trust in him, know they had a chance. He straightened in his chair and prepared for his meeting with Tobias and Alide. They were here to say goodbye and he must show them that he was sure and ready to take their people to war.

[sabina]

Hi there



I just read the three chapters that you have posted and I think that it was a really good start



I'm curious about Willow's backstory... oh well, actually I'm quite curious about the whole story



Update soon?

---

"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.

The in between is mine.

I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[Spot]

Oh, two updates! Very interesting, complex story you're building so far. can't wait to read more

-michelle

[bluemote]

Title: Into the Stars

Author name: bluemote

Email Address: drop a line to my ezboard address at first please

Rating: Possibly R for violence later, but at the moment PG, I’ll let you know if and when things change.

Disclaimer: I acknowledge that ME and JW own the characters of Willow and Tara. However, this is very AU, so, yeah, well, any silliness is mine… No spoilers for episodes although I may swipe some dialogue in later chapters…

Feedback: Yes, yes, yes. Please and thank you.

Summary: A very AU fic, set in a kind of sci-fi universe. The first few chapters are a kind of background, but I promise Willow and Tara goodness later. I’m hoping to update the summary with more of the main story if anyone likes the first parts…



Notes: The beta medal for strength in times of cheesiness goes to… Wytchi! Thanks



sabina, thanks for the feedback, hope you enjoy this part. the story begins proper in the next part, and some more should be revealed.



spotthanks, hope you like this part





OK, this is the final part of the intro….If any of you are still reading, then the next part will be the beginning of the story proper.

Part 4: The Name



Virid could feel the weight of the sky pressing downwards as he neared his ship. The sounds of celebratory laughing and dancing were lost to his ears as long as the thin threads of rank wove upon his chest. He slunk quietly to the loading bay and keyed in the code to close the doors behind him. As they shut, the tension strong in his body escaped like the pneumatic hiss of the doors. He sat and leant over gangling legs to hang his head, finally alone and free from the excitement outside.



But not quite.



The girl approached him quietly, sensing his mood. She had not escaped the excitement outside and was marked with blue painted charms that made the red of her hair and the paleness of her face all the more vivid. Her tunic was a mess of ribbons and symbols pinned on by the others during the dancing, and her eyes were wide with sweet foods and wine.



She stood, head down, in front of him and waited for him to speak, but he said nothing. She crouched a little to look into his face and scrunched up her nose. She stuck out her tongue, waggled her eyebrows. Still nothing.



"Virid?" she whispered, still not used to asking questions, "Virid?"



He said nothing. There was silence until she conjured up the courage to continue.



"I've been checking the circuits, they're all ok I think… and I, um, greased those panels that have been sticking, you know, the ones with the ceramics, the… the shiny ones?"



She exhaled loudly after the comment, her ribbons shaking about her. The whirl of the excitements outside left her eyes and she drew closer to the man. She was not used to talking so much, but more worrying to her was the response of the soldier.



Virid would always listen to her, respond, and cajole her into conversation. This was different, she knew why, but still his silence was so large that it made the ball of fear she kept hidden in her chest rise up coldly.



Finally, Virid looked up to her, sensing the fright his response was provoking. He was scared to talk in case his resolve broke, and so instead unfolded his arms so that the girl could sit next to him.



The girl settled close to his thin body as he hugged her tight. Both knowing what was soon to happen, that he would leave, that the fighting would begin. He knew that to reassure her about the mission would be meaningless, considering what she was likely to have already seen before they found her, and what she must know about the attack he was leading.



She knew too that his fear was great. It made her confused - Virid was her friend, was funny and good and never made her worried. He always knew what to do, was not wary of her or nervous that she had fixed the machine so quickly. She knew he was a brave man, so she knew why he was scared now. He was going to be lost in the stars like so many of the people she had known.



He was going to leave, and he wasn’t going to come back.



“Virid”, she tried again, “Virid! Please say something, you know all of those engineers are going to be in here soon and they’re so noisy and they will want to be shouting at one another and welding and joking and they’ll call me ‘pipsqueak’, or ‘kiddo’, and you know, we won’t be able to talk or, or anything… and you’re going… and , and…” she stopped, suddenly feeling the burn of tears threatening.



“Sorry”, Virid said, looking to her at last. He smiled a little, “Pipsqueak, or should that be kiddo, squirt or little frog”. The girl retaliated fast, tickling his knees and quickly scooting out of the way of his return attack. Soon though, she returned to his side, serious once more.



Virid was solemn again. He watched her carefully, returning her green stare. “You know, maybe I wouldn’t call you all those names if I knew what your old name was. You don’t need to tell anyone else, and I won’t either. I know it must make you sad, to remember your name and the people who gave it to you”.



The girl nodded, her tears returning. Virid continued.



“But it’s important to remember, not just the bad parts, but also the good parts. Where I come from, which wasn’t so far from you I think, you name is chosen just for you, and it is with you always as a reminder of home. Your name is important. It was given with love, just to suit you, and I wish I knew it, and could say it for you when I’m gone.”



He felt her small arms around him now, her head in his neck and the hot tears sliding down her face.



They held on tight, the bond between them strong, until the sound of the returning engineers grew closer. The girl untangled herself from his arms and pushed the ribbons from her face, until her tears were dried and mixed into the painted charms. She leant close to Virid’s dark eyes, matched them with her stare.



In a whisper, a mess of ribbons and paint, in the smell of grease and metal, she let out some of her past.



“My name…” she concentrated as he watched rapt. “My name…” She reached out to touch his face and leant close to his ear.



“Willow”



“Like the tree” he whispered in return but then the doors hissed open and he was lost in the barrage of the engineers and pilots, the men and women he was to lead and who came to him shrill with excitement and fear and talk.



The lights were brightened, the fuel cells fitted, checks made and repeated. So fast, the pilots bid farewell, the soldiers strapped into their seats, the ramps slid into their place, and with a great noise the ships began to move.



From the trees around the base, the children watched the ships disappear into the stars. Willow stayed long after the lights were gone, until the fires below had been lit and there were adults calling for her.



Virid was gone, and the third war had begun, but she had found her name again, and there was some hope for her and the others.

[Artemis]

Hi. I just discovered this story last night and read through the opening chapters, and they hooked me right away. I love your style of writing, it's very artistic, almost fairy-tale-ish in a modern way. You really convey a lot with just a few words.



Willow reminded me very much of Newt from Aliens, too - perhaps similar circumstances involved in whatever she went through (though, so far, presumably without the involvement of aliens).



I'd love to archive this story on Through the Looking-glass ( alia.customer.netspace.net.au/glass.htm ) if you'd like, seeing as it's AU and wonderful. If you'd like that, would you like me to attach the email address from your profile to it, in case of feedback? Thanks hopefully.

[SaraBiga]

Yay! Artemis beats me on time on the Newt reference! (I wish I was the first one to point it out, being and old sci-fi and Aliens fan. Not missing the aliens part, though!)

I really love your fic so far, it's very well written, and of course I love the Willow and Tara involvement in this , but I'd read it even if there weren't any of them, such is the pleasure reading it.

Was I the only one having shivers down my spine reading references to a "third war"? Eh, talking about some post-cold war fear syndrome...

So, to sum it up, great fic, waiting for some update soon!

____________________________



"Don't piss off the redhead with the weird powers"

-Willow-



"I'm not weird, I'm talented."

-Sara Biga-

[bluemote]

hello,



I am finishing up the fifth part as it's quite long, so should be up by monday or tuesday.



artemis thanks so much for your feedback. i've sent you an email about archiving on through the looking glass...



sarabiga glad you enjoyed yes, the newt thing is a bit strong, but i can assure you no weird aliens will be bursting around at any time. i do like the idea of willow in one of those big yellow robot mover things though... hmmm....

thanks for your comments, hope you enjoy the rest...



xox

[Draco119]

It's different but in a good way. The story has got me interested and I can't wait to read more. I must ask, when are Willow and Tara going to meet?



Will we see anymore characters from the Buffy or Angel world in your story?



Update soon.

[EyesLie]

oh, you've got me hooked!!! Confused, but hooked. Can't wait for more! Soon?



p.s. I think you're title's just fine. It's what made me want to read this

"Love's bitch?"Spike asked softly, leaning in so only Willow would hear his words, a small smile turning the corners of his mouth"Woman enough to admit it," Willow agreed with a nod and a sad half-smile"-Answering Darkness,by Sassette

Edited by: EyesLie at: 10/26/03 3:05 am

[justin]

This is a great story You've written the characters very well.



I'm looking forward to finding out more.

Anya in a wimple...I'd pay full admission for that. Gods Served And Abandoned - by Antigone Unbound


You know the worst thing about people in a relationship? The fact that they're in a relationship. - Hilda Spellman

[fluffylamb]

bluemote, this story is just so good. It's unlike anything I've read on the board. The language you use is so clear. I cannot wait to read the story you have set up for us. I want to know what this darkness is that Virid is leaving to fight.



I feel sorry for Willow by the end of the last post. She thinks she's going to lose the only person she seems to care about and it's because of her actions, fixing this machine, that Virid is leaving. At least she is beginning to find herself a little more.



I am anxiously looking forward to the next installment.



Kerry

"In fluent aphasia the subject talks at great length, but are unaware that what they are saying makes no sense."
Art said, "I know a lot of people with that problem." -Kim Stanley Robinson's Blue Mars

[bluemote]

hi everyone,



thanks for the feedback, i'll be posting longer appreciations soon. the next part i'm working on is turning out to be longer than usual, but will include our favourite blonde...



take care, and thanks again



blue

[bluewillowwitch]

bluemote ,

I love this fic. Young is so cute. . I wonder what happened to her to make her so shy? Oh the next part will have . Cool, is that when the two are going to meet? Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





bluewillowwitch

----------------------------------------------------

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[Grimlock72]

This story make me feel even more protective of Willow than usual. I'll tell you thats quite an achievement Little Willow is so cute indeed, but so scared in the begginning. She likely didn't have much of a nice childhood . And now the only friend she has goes away into battle, that has to suck.



Two moments I could visualize easily, first the one where Willow says 'Cows silly' and second the one where she smiles when she has fixed the computer or whatever it is.



If I read it correctly Willow has been on that base for years before she even talked ? Always running around like a scaredy cat ?? That's sad, kids shouldn't run because they're scared... just to play. Speaking of kids, there seem to be more kids on that base ??



I so hope Willow's life has taken a turn for the better, but with a war starting I'm not so sure...



Grimmy

--
"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[FunGirl]

Hey Bluemote,



Great Sci-Fi start. Early tragedy resulting in a mysterious orphan waif, a long term mission, a Machine, and Willow and (soon I hope) Tara in the mix. I'm hooked.



Looking forward to see how it all unfolds.

[bluemote]

Title: Into the Stars

Author name: bluemote

Email Address: drop a line to my ezboard address at first please

Rating: Possibly R for violence later, but at the moment PG, I’ll

let you know if and when things change.

Disclaimer: I acknowledge that ME and JW own the characters of

Willow and Tara. However, this is very AU, so, yeah, well, any

silliness is mine… No spoilers for episodes although I may swipe

some dialogue in later chapters…

Feedback: Yes, yes, yes. Please and thank you.

Summary: A very AU fic, set in a sci-fi universe. The first few

chapters are a kind of background, but I promise Willow and Tara

goodness later, along with some of the others from the series. I’m

hoping to update the summary with more of the main story if anyone

likes the first parts…



Note This is the last part of the intro... the first part of the story in the 'here and now' follows.. Just thought might need some more background.







Part Five: The Base



After Virid left and her voice returned, the people of the base, the ‘others’, took Willow in without question. All through this long war she has remained, become one of them, joined in the quest to fight back, the fierce struggle just to survive.



The ‘others’ are just that, a mix of people, of those who would not yield to the conglomerate. There are ancient tribes, new soldiers, and solitary settlers. There is magic and machine, weapons and music, a hundred languages and colours.



The base has grown as more have arrived. It has become strong with spirit and work. There are hundreds of ships, small and large. There are rooms for mapping, rooms for planning strategy, rooms for weapons.



There is also room for people far from home. There is magic and story and medicine. The spacecraft are marked with charms, the air rich with song and mechanics. Tobias passes for a leader, a judge or decider. Alide has the magicks in her soul, is a soldier, sorceress and ruler in one.



In the midst of it all, Willow has grown, but the child she was remains close to the surface, all angles and bright eyes. She no longer runs from others, her quickness calmed by care, but the bright fizz of her mind never dulls.



The flame of her hair matches her burn for knowing and she learns all given to her. Alide and Tobias continue to teach her, watch her mind working fast and sure. They know that Willow is special, that there is something in her that marks her out for great things. But there is a war on, and things are hard. Willow is apprenticed to work where she began, on the ships, except that she will be the one building and flying.



The war struggles on, Willow grows, becomes quicker, faster and surer. She works hard to help, although Alide has so far managed to keep her away from action on the fighting front. The others do not want their young people to fight, they wait for older and more experienced soldiers. So Willow fixes and builds, runs errands for the rest of the base. She is a sure pilot, fast and skilled, only waiting to fly and follow those into the conflict.



She is eager to talk, eager to please, and happy to find herself in the centre of her circle of friends. Sometimes in the base, friends leave and never return, arguments sprawl over the war, cultures clash, and hardships are great. It makes Willow and her friends tough, sometimes hard and sharp, but it’s the closest thing to a home any of them have.



At night, the girl she was sometimes returns, and Willow climbs trees, watches the stars, and waits for Virid to return with his dark eyes and some news of the hazy puzzle that was her home and her people so long ago.

[bluemote]

Hi everyone, and thanks so much for the feedback..



Dracoglad it's different good, not bad. there are some thinly disguised characters in this part which may perhaps bear some semblance to other characters in the buffy world. ok, so it's blatant, hope that's ok... thanks



eyesliesorry, got distracted by your avatar. glad you're enjoying, and that you like the title. hope you like the next part, please note that dialogue isn't a strong point either



justinthanks so much for your encouragement. hope you like this part.. i'm a bit nervous as it's no longer background...



fluffylambthanks so much for the feedback.. and lots more will be explained soon. hope you like this next part..



bluewillowwitchthanks so much and glad you enjoyed. willow will be meeting tara very soon, more on that in this next part...





Grimlock72 i think the idea of a little willow would make even stones feel protective. but things get a lot better for her once she's on the base, so not to worry. hope you like this next part



FunGirlglad you are enjoying. the mix will soon be including our other favourite mystery woman...





I'll put part 6 in the next post, hope that's ok mods, but i wanted to separate fic from feedback...



xox

bluemote

[bluemote]

Title: Into the Stars

Author name: bluemote

Email Address: drop a line to my ezboard address at first please

Rating: Possibly R for violence later, but at the moment PG, I’ll

let you know if and when things change.

Disclaimer: I acknowledge that ME and JW own the characters of

Willow and Tara. However, this is very AU, so, yeah, well, any

silliness is mine… No spoilers for episodes although I may swipe

some dialogue in later chapters…

Feedback: Yes, yes, yes. Please and thank you.

Summary: A very AU fic, set in a sci-fi universe. The first few

chapters are a kind of background, but I promise Willow and Tara

goodness later, along with some of the others from the series. I’m

hoping to update the summary with more of the main story if anyone

likes the first parts





Notes OK, so this is the first part set as the story happens rather than background. Let me know what you think, as I had been getting into the swing of things with the mystery background part and I don't want it to go flat.



Also dialogue isn't my strength, so i apologise now for any crimes to comma use...





Part 6: The Ship and a Name



Willow reversed the small ship from its hangar, her thin limbs straining in her restraint straps as the craft shuddered and coughed. She landed gently with concentration and unbuckled her constraints. Scrambling onto the shell of the scout ship, she prized open a panel and began pulling burned wires onto the hull. The sunshine was warm on her back as she hummed and set to work on the bundle of electronics.



“Hey Red!” she was interrupted by a shout, “Why ya got that out here? Mala will kill you if she knows that piece of junk is out of its hangar!”



The owner of the voice stood back and grinned as he watched Willow jump. He is tall and stocky, with dark hair curling around his face.



“I know, I know, but it’s too nice out here to stay in that big stinky shed”, Willow replied, stretching up from her task. “Plus, if I fix it fast she’ll never know, will she?”



Willow fixed her friend with a stern gaze and he nodded eagerly.



“What’s in it for me if I don’t tell?” he asked, prompting the slim redhead to jump down from the ship and face him.



Mala was the chief engineer in the base, and if not exactly harsh, then certainly demanding of her young apprentices. Willow excelled at her work but didn’t expect any favours from her superior.



“I can think of about a million things that you wouldn’t want Mala to know,” she answered.



“Oh yeah? I’m a model worker on this base, Red. Me, Alex Harris, a shining example of manliness, spirit, industry, and bravery. A fine role model for the younger generation, a …”



Willow started to recite, counting off from her fingers, “Alex Harris, hmmm, never wears his restraints in ship, is always late, never reads manuals until something breaks, um… eats in labs, likes to make things go bang, and… and gets distracted by pretty girls”. She finished triumphant.



“Ok, ok!” he replied with a smile, “I was just teasing ya Red, I’m not gonna tell Mala anything. Sheesh! There’s no call to get all demoralise-ey, I’m not that bad”.



Alex slunk closer in mock shame. “So, if you’re not too busy shouting at me, wanna get some lunch?” he asked.



“Sure,” she replied “Let me get this rust-bucket back inside”.



After a couple of shaky starts, Willow wrestled the machine back into its place, and joined her friend. Together, they walked across the wooded area separating the ship-works from one of the social areas of the base.



“So what’s Tobias got you doing today?” Willow questioned.



“Awww, communications. I hate doing coms, and he keeps shouting at me over the radio to use the right codes, that man is such an ogre. I mean, everyone knows where they’re going and what hangar to use, but he insists on the right codes.” Alex complained.



Willow grinned before replying. “Plus, if you’re stuck in coms you never get to see lover girl, you big soppy hulk o’love”.



“I know!” Alex replied unhappily, “Anna’s stuck in the friggin’ store rooms all day, and I can’t even say hi to her without Tobias breathing down my neck”.



He continued to shuffle down the path before realisation hit him, “Hey! Who says I’m soppy?! Hulky and brave maybe, but not soppy…Well, OK, but who wouldn’t be a teeny bit soppy with someone as great as Anna. Hey, I’m manly, I can be a little lovesick too…” Alex countered.



Willow nodded in agreement. She had known Alex since she arrived on the base, he was practically her brother, and she had never seen him so happy since the arrival of his girlfriend Anna.



Alex had been in love with Anna since the blonde arrived on one of the refugee ships a few years previously. She was supposed to be a junior logistics officer, but appeared to have most of the equipment stores under her control. Everything that could be counted, costed or stored on the base, Anna knew about. She was straightforward, bossy, single-minded and the best thing that had ever happened to Alex. Anna and Willow didn’t always see eye to eye, but Willow was glad to see Anna and Alex so happy.



The pair neared a small clearing filled with rough benches and tables. Alex bounced forward in anticipation of food, his appetite huge as ever, with Willow quick on his heels. As they took their bowls and sat, Alex’s face fell.



“This is it?!” he whispered fiercely to Willow, “Some grease and water with added potatoes?!”



She poked him in the arm with her spoon “Shhh!” she replied, “There’s not much to go round, and if any of the cooks hear you they’ll be mad. It’s not their fault”



Alex nodded woefully then dutifully ate his soup. Willow was disappointed too, things were getting sparse, despite the iron rule of Anna in the stock-rooms. The base couldn’t produce enough food for the rise in incomers unless the weather worked out right and the past year had been too cold and dry for a lot of the crops to survive.



Managing to avoid the wrath of any of the cooks, Willow and Alex finished lunch and returned to their work, although this time Willow remained with her ship in the hangar as Mala was likely to come and check on her progress.



So when she heard a muffled crash and groan near the front of the hangar she assumed it was Mala and kept working. It was only the deep voice of Tobias calling for her that made the redhead disentangle herself from the mass of wires she was fixing and clamber over the ship to face him.



“Ahh, thought I’d find you here.” the older man spoke softly. “Tripped over one of these bloody wires on my way in”, he smiled a little.



Willow nodded, waiting for him to continue. It wasn’t usual that Tobias would see her during the day, apparently casually. It wasn’t like him to make clumsy announcements of his presence either, Willow knew that a trained fighter like Tobias was unlikely to trip over a little wire.







He continued slightly awkward “So… I see Mala has you working hard. Looks like quite a job you’ve got there”.



Willow nodded again, her puzzlement increasing at the unusual small talk. Tobias moved closer, putting a hand on the rusty hull and making to inspect some fire damage. Finally he spoke directly, “You’re not buying it are you Willow?”



Finally, Willow took a breath. This was more like it. “Um, well, not really Tobias. You don’t normally trip, or ask me about melted scout ships.” She smiled at the pale eyes of her leader while noting the tiredness in his face and the weariness in his voice.



“Yes, you are, as always, very perceptive. I’m here to ask you a favour actually. That is if you wouldn’t rather be messing about with electrics and grease and all of those things you seem to enjoy” Tobias questioned.



Willow nodded enthusiastically, her red hair spinning.



“Good. I need you to pick up some packages from Base-7 and deliver them here. You can take one of the Q-ships if you want.” He paused to let the news sink in, watching Willow carefully.



Willow froze as she processed the request. The Q-ships were brand new, fast land or space-craft, meant for warfare and not for picking up packages. They had incredible defence systems, were virtually undetectable to machinery or land observers if necessary. They had only recently been tested and hadn’t been used in conflict yet. Willow knew that only the most highly qualified pilots would be able to fly them because of their complexity, she knew because, of course, she had avidly followed every test flight since the ships had arrived.



“Oh” she swallowed. “Wow, I mean, um, but, I’m not qualified – I’m only an apprentice pilot, I can’t fly…”



Tobias interrupted, rolling his eyes “Willow. I’m sure you are well aware of your abilities as a pilot – we all are. I’m glad of your respect for the pilot grading here, but you are more than capable of handling a Q-ship.”



Willow nodded, blushing a deep red as the older man continued. “All of the other pilots are extremely busy at the moment, and I need these objects immediately. Mala has given her consent, and if she thinks it is agreeable for you to fly then it is”.



Tobias brushed some imaginary dirt from his dark grey tunic while he waited for Willow to compose herself. “I’ve got the brief and the details of the flight path here, and your security code. It is imperative that you bring the packages directly to me and do not discuss the details with anyone else.” Tobias’ voice emphasised the importance of his words.



“Y…yes sir.” Willow stuttered at the brusque instructions and the change in manner of Tobias.



“Once you have delivered the packages to me you must escort your passenger to Alide’s quarters. Alide will be expecting you, and again you are under direct orders to take the passenger directly to Alide, without detour or discussion to others. You may talk with the passenger, but do not ask about the packages, and be aware that you are the first representative of this base that they will meet”



“P…passenger?” Willow squeaked, her mind whirling at the orders and trying desperately to remember if Tobias had mentioned a passenger.



“It’s all in your brief,” Tobias replied, “Please follow the instructions exactly and swiftly.” He handed Willow a slim envelope and turned to go, “Mala is expecting you in Hangar 1 soon to prepare for the flight.”



Willow continued to nod her agreement as Tobias walked away from the hangar and into the trees.



As soon as the grey figure was hidden in the forest she jumped in excitement. Skipping around the ship she had been working on, the redhead gathered her belongings in an eddy of anticipation for her mission.



Before curiosity could overcome elation Willow was running fast towards Hangar 1. Finding Mala’s office empty, the redhead threw herself onto the nearest bench and ripped open the envelope containing her brief and flight details. The tumble of numbers that compromised the flight path was easily decoded by Willow and made her fidget with glee. Base-7 was some distance away - at least an hour’s flight, even on a Q-ship, and the flight plan noted the need for haste, so she would really get to see what the Q-ship could do.



When Mala arrived soon after, Willow greeted her with a huge grin and shining green eyes. The flight commander wasted no time in taking the younger girl through the safety procedures for the Q-ship she was to fly, QS-9455. No amount of tedious restraint fitting could darken the apprentice’s enthusiasm and soon Mala lead a bouncing Willow towards the ship.



“Now, once you’ve entered in the flight details, and left the docking, you shouldn’t have to do anything to the controls until you reach Base-7”, Mala instructed Willow as the girl settled herself into the pilot’s seat. “But Tobias wants you to fly manually on the way back to make sure you get the hang of it”, Mala continued, a touch of jealousy in her voice. “And he said to make sure you listen to your brief as soon as you’ve left the hangar and are satisfied that everything’s in order”.



Willow nodded vigorously in response as Mala checked her restraints and continued her instructions, “And I want to hear you using formal communication codes for this mission, no chatting to Alex.”



Willow entered her security codes as soon as Mala left the ship and the hangar doors opened. With barely a jolt, QS-4955 was in the air and Willow steered carefully through the exit before engaging the auto-pilot. Her headphones crackled and Alex’s voice came through loud and excited.



“Red!! Is that you?! Man, you’re flying a Q ship?! Wait ‘till I tell…”



“Harris!” Mala’s stern voice interrupted Alex’s eager one. “Quit that nonsense and do your job. I want to hear you perform an exit protocol without extras for once.”



“Oh… Mala…Um, uh, yes sir” Alex coughed a reply.



“Well get on with it boy!” Mala continued angrily.



“Um…QS-4955, this is Base-1 confirming your Hangar 1 exit and security clearance. Please halt while your ship is scanned” Alex whispered down the radio channel.

Willow smiled to herself as Alex squirmed to deliver the message. She could almost hear Mala frowning down the communications cables.



“Copy Base-1, this is QS-4955, please advise when scan is complete” Willow replied, the protocol coming easy to her mind.



“QS-4955, you are cleared to proceed. Your flight number is B131001, Base-1 out”, Alex answered, “Enjoy the flight Red!!”



“HARRIS!!!” Mala’s shout echoed through the radio channel and Willow removed her headset before she had to listen to the accompanying rant.



Grinning at Alex’s nerve, Willow completed the rest of her exit duties before slotting the briefing card Tobias had given her into the communications port in front of her. Tobias’ deep voice filled the ship, detailing her task.



She was to pick up 6 packages from Hangar 12 at Base-7. Once she had accounted for the packages and secured them in the hold she was to wait for her passenger to arrive. The passenger must be security scanned before boarding the ship, and Willow was to be polite but firm about the procedure. If all was correct, the passenger was to be made aware of the safety routines for the ship, seated and then flown back to Base-1. There, Willow was to take the passenger to Alide immediately, and in person, and Alide would explain any further duties at that point.



There was no hint as to who this passenger was, and Willow’s curiosity only grew as the ship sped over the landscape. As her elated mind calmed, the strangeness of the situation also grew. Why was she, just an apprentice pilot, being given this task? Even if she was good, she was still just a kid in the eyes of Tobias and Alide… And why all the security and scanning and packages?



Not to mention the use of a Q-ship for what seemed like a pretty straightforward mission. Obviously, it wasn’t, otherwise everything would be normal, but Tobias had given her no clue as to what was happening and Willow could not think what might be taking place.



Just as she was beginning to be worried about the implications of her journey, Tobias’ voice came through the communication channel.



“Base-1 to QS-9455. Willow this is Tobias”, his deep voice kinder than in his brief.



“QS-9455 Copy”, Willow replied, not caring whether her radio manners were correct.



“Ah, Willow, everything ok?” Tobias asked, resorting to casual speech.



“Uh, yes. Yeah, fine, um… fine and dandy Tobias.” Willow said, unwilling to break and ask Tobias what was happening, but desperate to know.



“Sorry about the abruptness of my brief, but I wanted to make sure our communications were secure, and when you’re up in the Q-ship, I know our channels are encoded satisfactorily.”



“Anyway”, he continued, “You will, of course, be aware of the irregular nature of this task, and I hope I have not unduly alarmed you. I imagine you have concluded that there is perhaps something rather important about these packages and the passenger”. Tobias spoke with his usual formalness.



“Well, it looks that way to me…” Willow replied.



“Yes. This is a rather significant task you have Willow, not that I have any doubt about your abilities to complete it, but we must be wary in these circumstances… I’m afraid that your knowledge of the war at present may be rather hazy, and to be honest, we prefer to keep it that way. There is no need for the young to be immersed in the war, for it won’t be long before you have no choice in the matter…” Tobias paused, distracted.



“Things are bad, we have been betrayed and lost many brave people. The conglomerate are beginning to root us out, hence my reluctance for open communication, because if they discover our positions, things can only go badly.” Tobias sighed heavily, letting Willow digest the information.



“Nevertheless, we still have some great strengths, some hope in this continual battle. Your passenger is one of them.”



“She is a healer, her people were immersed in the conglomerate against their will, but she was allowed some freedom due to her talents. She has travelled extensively throughout the conglomerate territories; they found her useful in calming their slaves, as well as healing them. However, as soon as she could, she made contact with some of the others, and has so far managed to provide a great deal of help while appearing to remain loyal to the conglomerate.



Unfortunately, she was discovered, and punished harshly it seems, although she will not specify how. Her escape was miraculous, indeed, her journey to this sector incredible. Nevertheless, she is here now, and we all owe her our lives at least twice over. We are to keep her safe, and let her help us here for as long as she wishes to remain.”



Willow listened in awe to the extraordinary tale of this woman.



Tobias continued, with even more reverence in his voice “She also has magick, Willow, strong magicks of the kind we think your people had before the conglomerate arrived.” Willow felt a surge of emotion in her blood as Tobias spoke. There was something important here, something huge, something…something…



“So you will appreciate that we want her back to Base-1 safe, along with her belongings and notes.” Tobias returned to a more authoritative tone.



“Yes… yes sir.” Willow replied hastily, eager to show her respect for the information Tobias had given her, and glad to push down the strange sensations that were bubbling in her chest. “But why do you want me to collect her? I mean, I’m glad and all, but surely Mala…”



“Don’t worry Willow,” Tobias interrupted, but with a kind edge to his voice, “We have our reasons, but they’re all good. There is no one more able for the job than you, and we want you to be sure of that.”



Willow’s display flashed brightly as it became apparent she was nearing her destination. “I’ll talk with you when you return Willow. Don’t worry, just do your job well.”



“Yes sir. But tell me something please?” Willow asked, the feeling in her chest demanding an answer.



“Yes…” Tobias gave his permission.



“What’s her name?” Willow waited breathless with her mind spinning.

Tobias replied slowly but without hesitation, “Tara”.



There was a deep pause before he continued, “But I needn’t remind you that you are not to repeat that name to anyone who she does not divulge it to.”



“Yes sir”, Willow replied softly before the faint click of the headphones told her that Tobias had left communications.



She closed her eyes tight as a roar of sensations crashed into her mind in a mixture of memories and feeling, words and lights. She remembered hot tears on her face, the smooth dark material of Virid’s uniform and the importance of her name, of all names, and one name stayed on her lips.



“Tara”, she whispered, and then her headphones jumped to life again and an efficient voice from Base-7 was giving her instructions to land.

[Grimlock72]

Heh, well the name comes as no surprise of course... though I'm worried about whatever punishment she underwent due to her being discovered as a spy



You write 'bouncing Willow' very well, I could pretty much *feel* her bouncing from her repair hanger to the new ship. Willow is right to question why she was selected for this obviously important mission. Either no other pilot can be trusted or Alide wants Willow specificly to meet Tara. Geee... I wonder why that would be... :-)



Still grinning from imagining Willow repairing that scouter and taking it for a test-drive... heh... can sooooo see her do that.



You keep referring to the previous part of the story as 'background', almost as if it's a lesser part of the story... it isn't. It's part of a good build up, introducing us to this Willow and how she came to be. Nothing wrong with that. We'll no doubt hear Tara's story eventually as well.



Come to think of it, is it wise to use Tara's real name ? She would probably be safer if everybody used another name to adress her. Let's hope the conglomerate (evil word) isn't too hell-bend on getting back at Tara.



Oh yeah, I sure hope there's a decent combat computer on board those Q-ships... Willow doesn't have any such experience after all. She will be transporting a high-risk person though, likely a lot of money will be payed to any pirate who happens to bring in Tara.



Grimmy

--
"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[sizzlersister]

Every update of this story pulls me more and more into this world. And I'm so excited! Everything is so interestingly new, and your style is so poetically fluid...the prospect of Willow and Tara meeting and interacting in this world is exciting indeed.

I love how you've introduced us to Willow. We know enough about her past to understand that she has worked to create a life here, through her intellect and sheer personality. But we still see the underlining sadness and loneliness, that I think in some ways defined Willow in the Buffyverse.

You've done a tremendous job of transferring her into a new life, a new world, and a new set of circumstances. I can't wait for more!

Thanks