Ebony watched definatly as the guards left the room for the final time, leaving them in silence. Last time we'll see those stupid perfect humans. She thought bitterly, flexing her wrists in the iron grasp that held them. Already her back ached from being pressed against the straight-backed chair. Moving her head, she shook her head so that her hair was moved from her eyes. Shifting she felt the uncomfortable sense that someone was staring at her. Glancing up and to her left she saw an almost identical copy of herself. Shocked ran through her as she looked at what could have easily passed for her twin. It's like looking in a mirror! The only difference between them was their eyes. This girl had a more brighter blue than she did, wheras Ebony's eyes were light blue. That is so weird! However, she did not feel intimidated by it. She understood that many of the "perfect humans" had genrations that looked similar. It depended on what the popular look was when they were created. Frowning, she looked around the others, taking in each of their appearances and memorising them with ease. Silence had now engulfed the room, wrapping its tendrils around all of them, none able to find their voice. Fear radiated from almost each of them, but there was a sense of excitement that lingered in the air. Tension was building between them, as no-one dared to utter a word and then...

"What is wrong with you people? Are you going to let them break you? Are you willing to give them that satisfaction? Because I am not."

Her head snapped up at the words uttered from one of the others on board. Glaring at him she realised that the act was pointless, as he was completely blindfolded. Opening her mouth to response, she was cut off by another of travellers, who spoke directly to him, addressing what he had just said and similar to what she had intended to say as well. Instead of adding to his point, she closed her mouth, deciding to keep herself to herself. It would do her little good to get on the wrong side of someone before the journey had even begun. Just as the same man shouted out that he wanted the journey to begin already, the engines fired up. With a rumble the ship took off, pushing Ebony back into her seat. She gritted her teeth, closing her eyes at the odd sensation of going upwards but being forced back down into the seat. After a little while the pressure was released and she relaxed once more. Or as much as she could relax...

So, fellow "freaks", what are going to be your plans for your new life on Mars? I for one will just want to run around, finally not having some closed in steel walls blocking my way anymore."

The guy who had spoken earlier piped up once more, his voice strong and confident, something Ebony certainly didn't feel. Her eyes were drawn to him once more, as she glared through her bangs. Meeting his eyes she allowed herself to relax a little more, her glare turning to a simple scowl. She held his gaze for a while longer, before clearing her throat. She intended to find her voice and speak, after all this journey was going to be boring if none of them spoke. Gathering the shreds of her confidence that she had left, she opened her mouth and spoke. "Actually I intended to land on Mars, gain leadership, arrange an army and then send said fleet back to earth and take it over." Sarcasm dripped on her every word as she continued to stare him through narrowed eyes. He couldn't have been much older than herself. In fact looking around they all had to be around her age, apart from the blind folded one, who seemed much older. She was the youngest there, though she didn't know that.

"Does that sound like a plan? Or maybe I should simply try and lead a normal life, well as normal as you can get on a faraway planet? Either sounds fun, I'm not too bothered." Cursing to herself she shook her head, struggling in her chair once again. She found it difficult to react normally around others and these were no different. You'll never make friends this way! She told herself, as she stopped struggling and fell limp in the chair. Her eyes returned to the man who she had responded to, as she waited for a response. Normally people glared at her, or gave her a torrent of abuse, she wondered if now would be any different. Naturally she was sarcastic and it took very little to annoy her. It was one of the traits that she disliked the most about herself, but it was something that simply could not be helped...

She watched as the last of the soldiers left, her eyes for once not warm. This was not due to any untoward hatred of the men, more that she wanted them gone; if she were caught with her knife now, it would be beyond a failure on her part. The flesh around the wound began to numb, never enough to make the pain bearable. She tried her best to hold still, if she began to shiver or go into shock no one would help her from the ridiculous mess she had created. She hear the plicking of the knife over the grain of her jacket, barely touching as it poked out of her chest. If she was lucky her body would push it out with its pulsing that would soon become convulsing; passage eased by her slick blood. She had closed her eyes for quite some time, focusing her entire being on the feeling of it, drowning out the words that had been spoken around her. Her head swayed, chin resting on her chest as she waited.

When the rocket set off a small scream burst from her lips, she had been trained to bare pain with their torture but the pressure was unbearable. Her fantastic green eyes snapped open as she tossed her head skywards, her glittering white teeth showing as she bared them to the ceiling. The metal that encased them was dull and did nothing to take away from the knife that slide back into her body at the pressure, the hilt pressing against her ribs. In her mind there came the sound of metal scraping bone, she could see the white bone grating against the shiny red silver. Her heart beat as fast as a birds in her chest, thumping so close to the weapon that could so easily sever it from her engineered body. Each metal link that stayed forever half an inch below her flesh tugged in an excruciating manner as they attempted to burry themselves closer to her center, to their safety. Her eyes darted around the room feral, unseeing as the pain came in gentle disquieting waves. Eventually a long hank of hair fell across her vision stilling her to any further movement.

“Can you reach me?” She asked in a now rusty voice, turning to the people that had been placed beside her. The girl had long dark hair, beside that fact she could not see her face. Had she been speaking earlier? She had no idea, it could have been days or minutes for all she felt outside of her skin. She turned to the man on her other side, watching his movements fearfully. The people around her were so different; all broken in her eyes, whether they would see it that way did not matter. Each one seemingly unwilling as any to be in the rocket, wanting to be home or away did not matter, being shut in such a place was cruel. She wondered how long till they would be there now? The guard, her guard had told her that it would only be for a day, if the knife stayed like it was she would be dead or close by then. She reached up to her zip, forcing herself forward into the restraints, a grimace of pain on her oddly natural face. Her hand pressed against her legs and she struggled to reach pulling her zip down. In her mind she distracted herself with the idea of such a symmetrical face, they were all so perfect looking, so unnatural from how she had been taught and made. Eventually she reached the zip, pulling it down with a swift smooth movement.

“Can you reach and pull it out?” The words were thin, barely heard above the heavy roar of the engines. The dirty white cammie beneath it was stained with her blood, red pooling where it met her jacket. She tried her best to smile at the two beside her, they would have to brave if they were to take it out. If they were not then they would be too skittish and cut themselves trying to take it out; she did not want to cause these people pain. She looked up at the ceiling once more, waiting for there responses. The ship had not released them as she had expected, had not unlocked their hands. It left her utterly unable to deal with the beautiful metal that resided in her. Her head rolled down slowly, looking between them in desperation.

**************

Peng stood outside the entrance of the domes, where the ship would soon be landing. The long bandages that made his hair blew before his token eyes but did not blind him, only blocked his grey cogged eyes. He had been sent by the beast people to be their symbol and show them what kind and welcoming people they were. His cotton lips smiled, if he was the most human of them what did that say? Still he walked slowly back towards the main dome, he would give the message to Leon and ask him silently if he could accompany them to meet the new people. Though he himself had never been taught how to be considerate or respectful he tried to act as meek and pliant as possible. As he walked towards the thick glassed dome the bandages came down from his chest, where his heart might have once been and flickered out. Around him they shimmered and flew in the cold winds of mars, slowly forming his arms and legs; as he came close to the settlement the rough cotton became like flesh and clothes. He was the hollow creature with no true body.

When he was finally at the edge and entrance of the glowing dome he stopped, resting his hand against the cold glass. He would wait till someone came to meet him or he was called in, too timid to make the first move himself. While he stood silently for a second, watching the world that he had been born into, always watching and remembering everything. Eventually he opened his mouth, revealing the cogs that twisted and turned inside him; no one knew why they did this, it was not necessary to keep him alive, but spin they did. From his mouth came no sound this time, but inside the minds of all those within range came the soft fluty notes of his true voice. He sang to the silence of his world, mourning the silence of the outside in comparison to the rich empire that had risen within the domes, filled with laughter and life. When his song fell on the ears of the small creatures that resided outside the dome they came closer, revealing themselves from the red dust that swirled in the cold air. A Spoun came out first, thankfully only a young one, as he would have had trouble with a fully-grown creature. Its soft red brown feathers touched his cotton skin as it flapped down to earth beside him. It looked up at him from his knees interested at his song.

“Peng, please come to the inner gates.” The sharp voice came from a hidden speaker somewhere above him and he closed his mouth. He reached down stroking a hand over the little Spoun with gentle thanks, it’s reward for him was a nip to his cotton hands but he paid it no heed. He moved with slow graceful actions, everything about him yielding and gentle, the little creature following him. As soon as the outer gates opened it skittered away, afraid of the loud noise. Such a creature would likely never make it inside these walls as was likely for many of his kind, he was a rare exception and only because he was born in the dome. His bandages rippled around him uncertainty before settling once more as he waited.
(may i add that with your chains on none of you can save me :) please dont!)

Katrina looked to the girl on her left, eyes quickly drawn to the blood now seeping from her chest through her white shirt.

“What happened!” she yelped, almost uncontrollably. She cursed in her head, realizing she just spoke up when she wanted to stay silent the entire time. Obviously with this happening, that wouldn’t be the case. Kat’s eyes gazed intently at the cut, seeing the shiny blade that was exposed from her chest. It was fascinating, and made her curious as to how exactly that happened. It was clear that this girl was in serious danger. A whole 24 hour trip to Mars would surely be her death at the rate her blood was pouring. The pain alone might knock her out. Damn these cuffs... she thought to herself as she listened to Tildy ask for help. There was nothing any of them could do. They were all locked to their chairs, and with their feet grounded, no one could reach her.

“There isn’t a way, I’m so sorry,” Katrina cooed, trying to warm her voice. It was the only thing comforting she could do for the stranger. With any of their powers, they were completely useless.

Back on Earth...

“Where is my coffee, Henricks?” Jay Brown, head of overseeing the technical department of ShipX, asked to a lower intern engineer. The intern, a perfect human and fresh out of their university lab, nodded compliantly as he got up to get the coffee for Jay. As he was gone, Jay continued to watch the Ship’s monitors. There was a visual on the front powering station, as well as a hidden camera placed in the room of circles. Jay zoomed in on the particular cluster of circle chairs that locked in place each of the six malformed humans. He shuttered in a superior way, disgusted by their sudden “abnormal look”, though none of them looked any different than before. Popping in a handful of chips in his mouth, he went about his routine, zooming in on each one to make sure they were properly locked in place.

Each one appeared locked in place. Yet upon further watching of the six, his eye immediately attuned to the red haired woman. Some of the chips well out of his mouth as his eyes rose in surprise. This was the first time anyone had ever bled on ship. He zoomed in farther, close up on the entry wound. The sharp glare of the slick silver blade was easy to notice at this range.

“Son of bitch... she really got a weapon on board?” he spat as he rolled back in his office chair, getting to his feet quickly. It was at this point that the intern returned into the room.
“Sir, what’s going on?” he asked quickly, noticing the shock upon Jay’s face. He walked over to the screen he was staring at, then handed Jay his coffee. The intern’s eyes grew double in shock, perplexed at how she would have been able to get to this point. Not only was there a weapon snuck on board, but as well she was managed to be stabbed? Jay grabbed his coffee, taking a few concentrated breaths in.
“Before we jump to any conclusions, we have to be rational about this,” he muttered, instinctively reaching for the files he had on each of the six malformed humans. He shuffled through them until he found the image of this red haired freak.
“Tildy Bedwyr,” he stated, then continued to read her file out loud to the intern, the only other person at the moment that knew of the situation on board the ship. “Ah, ha! Son of a gun, she is the metal wielder! No wonder she got that on ship, she was hiding it in her chest...” he grinned quite coldly, laughing at her stupidity. “Must have not thought of the cuff’s own ability to cancel hers.”

The intern frowned, rolling their eyes at Jay, but not to where he could see. For this perfect human was more neutral when it came to the malformed humans. His name was Richard, known to those in the program as Richy and to those of Jay’s status as “intern Rich” or just “intern”. His goal one day was to fill the spot of Jay, become the new technical director. There was one flaw though that would be his downfall... his compassion.

“I’m informing the rest of the crew on this development,” he said calmly, sipping on his hot coffee. “You know, she is gonna die like that the way she is. Keep an eye on her while I get everyone,” Jay then directed, exiting the room’s door. There was no care of emotion in his cocky voice. That fact pissed Richard off more than anything. His eyes locked on the woman, clearly in obvious pain as she bled quickly mid-torso. From where the blade was sticking out, he was surprised it hadn’t cut her heart yet. His fingers nervously clicked on the steel desk frame, gazing at the flat monitor screen that showed Tildy in full color, blood and all. Richard’s heart went out to her, not wanting to see someone die in such an inhumane, cruel way.

“Damn it,” he whispered to himself, knowing he was in a touch situation. Under any circumstance was one ever allowed to uncuff any of the six while they were on ship to Mars. But it was possible. Yes, very, very possible. His eyes darted in the direction of the faint red glow of a button across the computer lab, along with a number pad. It was the one device that had the power to unlock each cuff automatically. There was a certain code given to each individual. Richard knew what had to be done, even if it meant he would be punished beyond imaginable. Yet, he couldn’t help it. His compassion won over his rationality once again. He had only seconds to find Tildy’s code before Jay and more would come back in, ruining his plans. To free Tildy from the cuffs, giving her power back so that she could work her magic, whatever that was. He ran to the extra papers on each passenger. Her code was #28463. Taking in a silent gulp, he paced forward to the unlocking device, hitting the red button and keying in her code. Enter.

Richard jerked his head around, eyes jumping to the video monitor of Tildy and the rest of the group on screen. His lips trembled as the cuffs fell loose from her wrists. “Oh shit, I can’t believe I just did that,” the young intern mumbled, gripping the side of his temple tightly. Seconds later Jay entered the room again, with fellow colleagues of his. The coffee he was holding in his hand dropped to the floor, Jay’s body stiff in utter devastation. All eyes were on the monitor, silent as Tildy was now free of restraint, ability fully returned and then some. Jay creeped his attention viciously over to Richard, whowas now cowering with guilt over by button device. He knew we was in for it. But he saved her life, and that was all that mattered.

********

Katrina’s jaw dropped, eyes alive with amazement. It had not been 10 minutes after she made her comment and now Tildy’s cuffs had dropped, clinking to the chain on the seat. Her feet were still locked in place, but the power restricting lock was off. She was free. Katrina was speechless, wondering what was going on. This was a dream, it had to be. But... no, she established this was her reality now. Someone was watching them. Her head darted to the top corners of the walls, searching for a camera. She couldn’t find one anywhere. It didn’t matter any more though, Tildy was free to save herself. Maybe she could held them get free too, once she got the blade out of her chest. Anything was possible now.

Jacob heard one girl screaming in pain and looked up, unable to see but still used to reacting that way. Another girl tried to comfort her, but then he heard a light clinking sound..what could that mean? Something was going on, but Jacob had no idea what it was. Did the cuffs come off? He pulled his hands up a little but they were still restricted by the cuffs. Now was the time to make a decision, ask what was going on or just remain silent. It seemed logical to know the situation, but was that just the curiousity speaking? Whatever the case, Jacob felt like he had to know what was happening around him.

"They took my eyes, I can't see any of you or anything. What is happening?" He gulped. This was the first contact he had made with these people that wasn't intended to push them far away as he planned to do with anyone who crossed by his path again. Still, he found himself in the need of their help for now, and it was too late to take it back as of now. If someone was free...maybe there was a way out of this.

There was also an alternate way this could end up, if somebody on Earth saw free malformed humans would they not simply detonate the ship just in case they were to try anything? These could very well be his last moments, and the end for all six of them. Such a fate seemed like a welcome thing, emotionally Jacob was crushed by all that had happened in the last few days. Logically, there was no real life to be attained on Mars. Jacob had his chance to live, and he betrayed himself when he gave himself away. No, this was not his fault. Nobody should have to live the way he did, nobody should be engineered in a lab and then shipped off if they were not perfect. If anything, the malformed humans were more perfect. Jacob had the abilities that so called perfect humans could only fear and hate. It took multiple armed "perfect" guards to take down just one of him, and one of them still lay dead, possibly never recovered from the apartment where Jacob's life was taken away and sent to this ship that could soon become his tomb.

Benjamin sipped his whiskey, loking up to the stars. He glanced around him to observe the desolate red landscape around him, and refilled his glass. The weather was quite nice today, hence why he took off his helmet for his suit. Well, nice being above zero. He just listened to the music that was playing from the rover he managed to rent from an office in the dome and really needed a drink. His eyes glistened softly in the light, but with a somber sense to them. A soft sigh escaped his lips before he sipped his glass of whiskey once more, just collecting his thoughts when a new song came on. A really old song too. He had a preference for the music that was popular way back in the early twenty-first century, and some a little bit before that era. He Closed his eyes, as Johny Cash played quite loudly through the speakers enjoying his privacy.

Over the past two years, he had done little to make friends really. He never fought when he was brought here, technically he was supposed to be dead. But that didn't matter anymore, he wasn't a soldier anymore just a piece of out-dated tech. Before he knew it, Benjamin's bottle was half empty and he cursed, upset that he had drank that much. He quickly capped the glass bottle and finished the contents that were in his glass and stood up putting his helmet back on sealing it, and paused waiting for the oxygen purifiers to kick in. Benjamin sauntered over to the rover, with a hint of a stumble and plopped himself down in his seat placing the bottle in his bag, along with the glass. He didn't want anyone to know that he drank, he didn't know if anyone cared but that's just how he was. He began to drive back to the dome, he had heard that there were some newcomers today and should might as well check them out.

He glanced over at a humvee that he drove by, but did nothing more but count the people that were there. He saw five, one of them he had seen around for quite a while, ever since his first visit. But he never really talked to the man, the only time he could remember talking to him, was when he first arrived. Benjamin continued to drive, and parked the rover into the lot, and pulled out his I.D. card, and scanned his right forearm. He was checked out, and made his way back to his sleeping pod and set his bag inside a compartment that resided inside. He realy needed to stop drinking so much in one sitting, it made him upset that half the bottle was gone. It was hard enough to find this type of liquor, let alone purchase it.

Moments later, he walked out of the shower, drying himself off and got dressed. He still wore his camouflage pants from back 2 years ago, along with the boots. He sighed, taking a swig of water and ran a hand over his barcode that resided on the back of his neck thinking of his first 6 years of training. He shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts before they would get the best of him and force him to drink again. He put on a grey tank top, that matched the grey in his digi-cam pants, along with the boots. They could actually blend into the interior of this place if it was dark enough. He grabbed his holotags, and put them on. He didn't like to where them in the shower. He looked down and pressed hsi finger over the little tab, and a blue small holographic strip would emit, showing his information. His rank, name, blood type, social security number, hair color, eye color, height and weight. He looked over these, with a slight grimace at the rank.... 'Captain'. He shook his head trying to forget his memories and stood up walking over to the docking bay to see the newcomers. Though he didn't go unprepared, he had his knife hilt on the side of his right boot, and his pistol tucked in the back of his pants.

Leon was finishing his inspection of the vehicles when Caitlin approached him her hand held out in front of her, holding his PDA in front of him, it had a message. He took a hold on the PDA nodding at Cait, she knew that it wasn’t her place to look at his messages from earth or the surrounding areas. “You know what to do Cait, get the others involved in the inspections also.” She saluted him, which brought a smile to his face, not often had he had his own men worry about the ranks that they held back when in ‘training’. He saluted her back and watched her run off to get the others. He angled the PDA so that he could see the screen, it was more of an alert, than a message. Peng was at the front gates, he needed an escort to the docking bay. Leon smiled at the note, it wasn’t unusual that Peng be around to wander and visit in a sense, though how he got the information that the ship would be in he didn’t know, less Peng had an informant in a sense. Didn’t matter, the ship would be in soon enough and he had to get all the inspections and get everyone ready.

He walked over to the vehicles where his team was, watching them look them over and finishing their inspections. He walked up to them and realized that he hadn’t done it to quietly, for Matthew looked at him and pointed him out without actually saying anything, everyone’s gaze shifting to him, they were all ready to go at any time. “Mount up people, we got a friend that needs an escort to the docking bay, I’m sure you all remember Peng.” That brought a smile from the women and an eye roll from the men, they knew he wasn’t a threat though it surprised them that he was such a pacifist. “Roger that sir!” They all spoke in unison not something that was uncommon when talking with Leon. They mounted the vehicles Cait driving for Leon, Keely for Jasen, and Matthew in the final truck. They took off for the entrance to the dome, Leaning sitting up in the gunner hatch his suit on though the helmet sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

“Here comes the cavalry guys, hopefully your not all in the wrong mindset, I am not up for a confrontation today.” He stated it to no one in particular though everyone on his team heard what he said through his headset.

They arrived at the front gates, he could see into the ‘office’ in a sense where people waited for escorts or to be let in, he sent a message over the PDA letting the person in charge know that he was there to get Peng. He jumped out of the gunner hatch as the door opened and he saw Peng there, not floating like he was used to seeing, but standing. He smiled at Peng warmly. “How is it you seem to know when the new guys are coming in?” He laughed a little, knowing he wouldn’t get a verbal answer and motioned to the vehicles. “That’s our ride to the docking bay, your free to ride in the front one with Cait and I.” He stated walking to the vehicles opening The passenger to let Peng in before jumping back up into the gunner hatch.

He looked about one more time into the distance, taking in the sites of the artificial atmosphere, it was comforting, but it never really held that homely feel, personally he was disgusted by it, though it seemed to please those that came to the planet, it was better than freezing to death outside the dome, but he wasn’t one to complain he liked it outside the dome, there were many beasts around to trade with and it was free out there in a sense, when he was inside the dome, he felt caged. When he came too, they were well on their way to the docking bay, all that was left to do was wait for ShipX to arrive, and then they’d all see what they had to deal with.

Zooming through space nearly at the speed of light, ShipX was well on its way to Mars. The blue jets that lit the black sky was leaving a long trail of light. Stars dotted the empty nothingness, creating a subtle beauty unlike anything other. Though the massive ship had sparse windows in the front and back, there was no way the six could see these magnificent views. They were inclosed in their circular room, around their circular chairs. The events that were happening aboard the ship were indeed getting interesting. Tildy, the red vixen of the six, was now free of her disabling cuffs, powers restored. With the restraints off it probably saved her life, the blade being able to mesh with her flesh again.

Richard, the intern from Earth, was fired immediately and taken to prison. The rest of the crew watched in the control room as the hidden camera viewed everyone’s reactions, mixed of shock and anticipation. If hers came off, what would stop from theirs coming off? Luckily Tildy was still locked to where she sat, with the boots that held her to the floor. Another girl was making the scientists anxious. Looking at the file, they determined it was Katrina. She was looking around the ship, up and around the corners, as if she was on to something. Being watched after all wasn’t anything new to Kat. Back at her lab in Germany, cameras laced the halls every few feet. Nothing went unnoticed.

***
“Stay seated, um..” Katrina said, looking across at the girl who was uncuffed. She wasn’t sure of her name, none of them had introduced themselves. She continued on quickly, figuring names didn’t matter, “The ride might be dangerous.” That was all she said before she quit speaking. Her gaze then looked back to the ground. Though she was interested in how the cuffs might have been unlocked, it still didn’t change the course they were taking to Mars. Sooner or later all their cuffs would be off, and they would be living on Mars. What would she do with herself was something that bothered her. On Earth, she planned on going to a college and doing something in business as a career. On Mars, things would be more than different. Nothing on that planet would be sufficient. Her goals and aspirations would only be a dream unreachable. After all, what was there besides unwanted human experiments...

***

Hours were passing, each minute adding miles to their distance from Earth. Mars was in the distance. It was only a tiny bright dot, but at the rate the ship was flying, they would be there shortly. Katrina’s stomach as empty, the lack of her three daily meals getting to her. When she would get to Mars, she only hoped they had similar food to what she has had on Earth, in her lab. If they were forced to eat bugs on Mars or anything of that sort, Katrina would hate her life tenfold more than she already did.

Tildy let out a gasp of shock as she fell, eyes wide as she rushed to put her arms out before her, minimizing the blow. Her elbows hit the floor with such force as to jar them painfully, skidding up she landed chest first, knocking her head. With the air pushed from her lungs it was too painful to scream, the knife digging into her ribs; wanting to meet her heart. She lay there on the floor gasping for a few minutes, her mind attempting to muddle through the chemicals that now flooded it. She need to calm down, this was little worse than the pain she had succeeded to bare while they tested her abilities, though her body had enjoyed it no less. She took deep shuddering breaths turning to her side. The noises around her seem dizzyingly loud, echoing through her mind like ancient drums of war; making her heart pound. Slowly she came back to her body, rather than swimming in a sea of chemicals telling her the thing she inhabited was in pain.

Slowly she tried to get up, one of the restraints clicking free of her wrist as she propped herself up. She looked down at it in awe, now kneeling and sitting back on her heals; still captured painfully in the boots. The cuffs swung free only on one side, but she hoped deactivating the damper on her abilities. She reached up with deft hands, flicking the zip down the final click so it parted over her chest. She shed it over her shoulders, not wishing to get blood on her beautiful thing; it had been with her for to long to lose it to blood on her away from her old home. It fell to the floor with a dull thud, muffled by the noises of the ship and people; she paid it no heed. She pulled up her white cammie, baring her ribs without revealing too much. She sucked in a breath at the devastation the knife had wrought on her tanned skin, eyes fixed on the deep gash. She ran her hands over it nimbly, the knife tip sinking onto the tips of her fingers without leaving a flicker of pain or blood behind; clasping the tip of it between thumb and finger she pulled out a knife that measured from fingertip to wrist, made almost wholly of silver; to keep the blood clean.

“Uh, that’s gonna hurt for ages.” She grimaced slightly looking up at Ebony, the pain had already begun to ebb; her body healing over where the metal had been. Her eyes glanced over the girl, her hands reaching out instinctively to touch the person closet to her, trying not to be creped that two long black haired girls were before her. She touched the edge of the other girls chains, hoping to free her of her chains. As soon as her fingers touched the other girls chains she froze, a shiver running down her spine as its effects took over her body, making the metal beneath her tattoos ache once more. She shook her head glumly, pushing herself back into standing, She hitched herself up onto her seat. Her jacket sat over her lap, she nodded in thanks to the second black haired girl (kat). She placed her knife over the back of her forearm, away from the veins it might knick if something went wrong. Her short hair flew up about her face, flickering wildly as though in a gale as she placed her other hand over the weapon. Pushing the knife down into her flesh, her hand was hot as the silver slide beneath her skin, tugging on muscle and sinew as it went.

************

Peng looked up when the door opened, standing silently at the fare more restrictive force of gravity that was in place within the domes. He nodded to the other man, allowing the final pieces of his heavy bandaging to fall into place for the journey. The dark grey eyes looked round and actually eye like rather than empty slits like normal, he was the ambassador; he had to look good enough to make the new batch to want to trade with his kind. His gears ground where his heart should have been, he was nervous; they always asked what was wrong with him to be called a beast, most did not like him afterwards. With smooth weightless footsteps he walked behind the other man, contemplating what he had asked; whether it needed a reply or was more to make Peng feel more at ease; which it didn’t. Peng had never spoken a word, he had a voice in his true form, but had never learnt to use it. Talking would always seem unreal to him, but at least not he only had to use his mind.

“We make sure to know of new traders, it is for the best for us to send someone like me.” His words sneaked into the other mans mind like the hint of mist in the morning sun, uncomfortable for the way he referred to things. “Yes I have not seen Cait in some while, it has been some time since the last settlers.” His voice floated in and out, not really talking to the other man as much, but showing willing to be ‘human’. He stepped up into the vehicle without hesitation, if something went badly today he would need to tell his people and in truth it was unlikely anything would happen to him. He liked Leon, he had at least always tolerated Peng; not as harsh as those who had turned him out as a baby, not wanting something that was never truly there. He was the lost child, ever wandering in the dark of the world. He was humble and obedient to the best anyone would allow him, his heart honest and pure. He looked up to the man before him, not an outcast, yet nor the same as those of the Dome.

(Sorry, its all I can manage tonight.)

((Lets get the show on the road to Mars! This post will be a tad shorter, just so I can get the ship to land and have the guards come to free them))

The inner workings of what was going on in the ship with the six new arrivals was trivial to the overall picture. Their new life on planet Mars was about to begin any minute. The massive ship roared through the silence of space, picking up speed when Mars was in view. In a blink of the eye, the ship could have travelled 100 miles it seemed. The technology of the shuttle was very impressive, but didn’t it have to be? It was the very vessel that was used in transporting some of the most powerful humans ever created, those of the malformed race. The six on board were only tiny dots to the scale of the skeletal frame of the ship. They would see it in full once they were taken off at the landing station.

As ShipX continued getting closer to Mars, an automatic message was sent to the soldiers on Mars.

“Warning, landing in ten minutes,” an electronic voice sounded over the intercom, on Mar and inside the ship simultaneously. Katrina sat in her seat, still in a very uncomfortable position by the cuffs looked behind her back and hooked to her chair. As much as she wanted to stay on Earth, even Mars seemed better than the pain she felt from the steel digging into her skin. They locked her cuffs too tightly, and the slight pain was gradually making her have a headache. The headache then was leading to slight built up anger. Growing very steadily, her anger was what kept her distracted from the rest of those on ship. Most of them seemed to get quiet after a couple minutes of watching Tildy be free. Soon enough they all would be, and it wouldn’t matter anymore. Instead, Kat’s thoughts collected on how cruel the people might be on Mars. If they all held resentment to the people of Earth, what would keep them from feeling resentment to newcomers landing? She would have to defend herself and be strong when they landed, as best she could.

Her ming also travelled to thoughts of the unknown. What kind of powers did those on this ship with her have? Her gaze rested on each face around the circle, wondering if she should be afraid of them or not. Her power itself seemed like nothing to Kat. She, after all, didn’t even know how to use it, or to what extent could it reach. She was able to open up a highly guarded and locked door, which still puzzled her beyond belief. When she touched it, she could feel a buzz in her finger tips, beckoning her to select the right numbers, the right password. Could she hack locks? Or was it more of an electric ability? The lack of knowledge on her own power made her feel helpless, and still very much like a normal human still. What if it was some freak accident and she was in reality normal, without any powers? Katrina sighed to herself, figuring it pointless to get bent out of shape about it. Instead, she went back to wallowing in her growing anger at the situation she found herself in.

On Mars, alarms began to sound. It was a warning that the Ship had indeed arrived. Those in charge of managing the landing got into their positions, turning on the massive light pad that would signal the Ship on where to dock. ShipX creeped up to the planet, slowing its speed drastically so not to crash into the planet. Those on board were shaken in their boots and thrust around in their chairs at the quick stop.

Leon and his crew were at the docking bay, in place for their routine pick up. As the ship finally halted to a stop, the fuel jets temporarily turned off. A high pitch beep sounded off as a garage type entrance began to raise. It would lead down a hallway to the passenger corridor. Here, a special key was needed to open the door into the circular room of where the six were held.

Katrina’s body slammed roughly to the back of her chair when she ship stopped. Where the cuffs gripped her skin, blood was beginning to bubble up. The land caused the cuffs to cut her wrists slightly. Not enough to cause any damage, but enough to make her cringe in pain and hatred for being treated like so. She looked around the circle again, knowing this was it. They were to be freed on Mars. Would she ever see these six again on this planet? Was this a short meeting until they all reunited one day? She didn’t even know any of their names, so she was leaning more towards forgetting these five. They didn’t mean anything to her, only that they all shared this same traumatic experience of being taken to Mars.

“So this is it...” she muttered, as her ears caught noise of the high pitch ringing that signals the ships opening doors. She would stand her ground, but still cooperate with whoever unlocks her. She would just about do anything to get these damn cuffs off.

Leon stood there at the docking bacy just outside of it, the loaders and what not didn't tend to like when he walked through the space before the ship loaded, something about the machinery and not messing with it. He couldn't help it, he liked looking at extremely difficult machinery, though he liked how to find out how it worked even more, Cait had rubbed off on him through the years, with her interest in Machines and such, it was now an interest to him, he had built his own rifle after all, he looked at it and smiled, well he had most of it built, Cait had done the rest.

The PDA alarm went off letting him know that the ship was coming in, about 10 or so minutes to go. He motioned back to the small group he wanted his men in their first just in case there was something that went down. He looked to Peng. "Stay out here at first, just in case there are combatants, I'll let them know about you and send them out as we let them out of their restraints." He stepped toward the docking bay and entered with the other 4 behind him, his rifle in hand slung over his shoulder. Now to see what they had coming.

The ship landed and opened, Leon smiled at how much that looked almost like a garage door opening, then the smile faded as he saw the long hallway that lead to the corridor where the passengers were. "Be friendly, but don't let your guard down, now matter what." He didn't look over his shoulder knowing that his men could hear him as they walked, they had done it before and he knew they could do it again. They knew the routine, do their job get things done and they'd be back home in a sense. He paused at the door to the passenger room taking a deep breath and find that calm place, that place where some people would be afraid to enter, but Leon had walked through it tons of time, it let him be cold if he had to, and he didn't know what this encounter would take.

The door to the ship opened as he stepped forward with his little team behind him. Leon stepped into the center of the room looking at the passengers taking in what everyone looked like, trying to put names with faces, some he could some not. He slung his weapon to the side. "I'd take it everyone had a devastating journey right." He caught glimpse of the one with red hair. Tildy he thought, why were her hands free? That could cause troubles. "Either way, in a few moments you'll walk through these doors and into the docking bays, there are paths that will lead to the exit into the dome of mars." He paused a moment looking as if he had a headache. "Life is not bad here, regular food, in a way, living quarters and such." He started walking around the circle behind the chairs, unlocking cuffs starting with Kat's. Making his way around the entire room. "You can release yourself, from your boots, this is how you do that." He stated squatting by Kat's boots and fiddling with it, it coming open after a moment.

I will be in back making sure that no one stays aboard, there is this nasty habbit of newcomers staying on board and blowing the ship up in the process." He stepped back allowing the room to do as they please. "My men will accompany you, the first two will lead you if you want to be led otherwise they're there for show." He smiled at his men knowing that they didn't mind. "There are also a few diplomatic beasts out there to welcome you to the planet also, their appearances are somewhat unique so to just warn you. There are vehicles out there also those are ours to take you to the 'town' so to say, it will be a short ride, or if you feel like it you can walk." He was starting to get a headache now, he didn't like doing this stuff, good thing was there weren't any tears.....yet.

The two male 'soldiers' walked out of the room, waiting a little ways down the corridor for the passengers. Leon still with the two female soldiers. "If you have any questions I will be happy to answer what i can to my knowledge, any pains please talk to Keeley there, she would be my medic. And before you all ask the same question the answer is 10 years." Keeley looked at Leon in a concerned way, she knew he would get a headache and she had the meication for him, though why he didn't ask for it she didn't know. Though she quickly looked back to the group as Leon finished talking.

"You're free to do what you want from this point on," He paused. "Any questions seek me out after you leave the ship and get out of the docking bay area." HE turned to the center of the room, looking at them all, cept for the black haired girl in fron t of him., motioning towards the door.

“Warning: landing in ten minutes.”

The sound woke Crip up and he vanished from under his covers in the blink of an eye. The same instant, he appeared above a grate-metal walkway in a dark maintenance corridor and twisted to get his foot and prosthetic under him before he hit the ground. A piece of his blanket floated to the metal beside him. Damn! Well, at least he had jumped too much this time and not too little. He'd been practicing emergency jumps by waiting for some sort of alarm to startle him, whether he was cooking, reading or sleeping, and then jumping out of there. It was really risky; he not only had to make sure he didn't leave a piece of him behind, but also figure out the distance for the jump in a split second. If he did that math wrong, he'd end up in a wall and it would be bye bye Mister Crip. Then again, he wouldn't be practicing it if it wasn't dangerous. A few planned risks were a hell of a lot better than being woken up by a killer and not being prepared.

Crip picked up the blanket shred and draped it over the railing so he'd see it on his way back to his hideout and remember to repair it. The size of the shred upset him; everything seemed to be a reminder of how awful life really was these days. This time it was a reminder that he could never fall in love. What if that was his wife laying next to him? He'd be picking up shreds of her, then. A heavy sigh proceeded the words, "Sometimes, I miss the ignorance." before he spun on his good leg and headed for the hatch back into the main hall. He was in the landing dome not too far from the bay. This had been the perfect dome to set up little hiding places like the one he just jumped out of for four reasons. First: it was heavily locked down. That didn't hinder him at all, but just about anyone who might want to get to him would have a bit more trouble. Second: this dome was one of the last to be added when the planet suddenly became a prison colony and a place for secure prisoner exchanges was immediately apparent (it seems administrations doesn't approve of their expensive ships being stolen all the time). That meant it was put up after the towers, so there was no need for radiation paneling. Radiation paneling was not something Crip wanted to attempt a jump through. Third: because it was designed as more of a landing pad for big ships than for the people on the planet, it was really big and had lots of unused nooks and crannies. And finally, the place was almost always deserted. Crip spent a month in and out of this place building a little apartment on top of the dome and hardly saw a soul. That was very, very nice.

But right now it wasn't deserted. A ship was coming in, so there were actually people moving around and working. Crip listened for a full minute before unlatching the utility hatch and stepping out into the hall. The next hall down would have a observation room that looked into the docking bay. He strode his way there in the funny way a man with two different feet did and stopped at the door to, one more time, make sure there was nobody around, then jumped through it. Jumping didn't have any fancy light shows or puffs of smoke. He was just there and then he wasn't. On the other side of the door he just wasn't there and then he was. The only evidence of what he just did was that the door would be warm to the touch. He always left a slight heat trail. Denser objects could get quite hot, indeed.

The view from the large window was horrible, but Crip never planned on watching from here; he just wanted a line-of-sight. He'd be sitting on the same hanging light as he'd been watching from for the last two drops. It was about 40 feet above the walkway and had a perfect view of the ship's big door; nobody ever looked at it. He jumped to it and sat down casually to watch the newcomers. A gust of hot air tipped him off balance for a second when he did so, but that didn't bother him. The engines had just shut off and their effects were still circulating the air. For some reason, Crip liked the smell of it. It actually helped him relax for a second and he even smiled a bit. He needed that boost , because he saw Leon and his men pass below a few moments later. True, it had to have been one of them that took care of him when he first landed here, but since then they had been a huge pest. They were a false front that gave people high hopes before shoving them into Hell. Like guiding them up a flight of stairs before dropping them into a pit: it only made the fall that much farther. Crip had been in scrapes with them, too. All ending in him jumping away to some safe place. He knew a couple of their malformities, but not the majority and not Leon's. He knew Leon was a good shot, the bastard, and that was probably worse than whatever got him here.

Once they were inside the ship and out of view, Crip spun around just to check. Yep, there was Peng, waiting patiently. Crip still had no idea how he felt about the "kid"; if he could call him--it--whatever, that. It was a....unique situation. Talk said that Peng was built by a beast, or that his body died so he made a new one out of trash, or that he was simply a demon and should be killed. Whichever one, Crip was inclined to like him, but he was on the wrong side of things and Crip made a point to never talk to someone without a reason. So he never talked to Peng. Not that that mattered, now. The fresh meat would be dragged out soon and Crip wanted prime pickings. He twisted back around and got comfortable to watch, again.

Ben gruffed a sigh, and closed his eyes turnign away as the ship entered. the gust of wind kicked up what dirt there was inside the hanger, and opened them back up once it began to settle down. He sighed again seeing the huge ship that had sent him here two years ago.... He technically wasn't supposed to be alive, and whenever he saw the ships coming in or leaving it reminded him. Which forced him to drink sometimes. Benjamin turned to watch Leon and his crew enter the huge door to the ship, keeping a straight solemn face. He remembered when Leon escorted him off the ship, very frank and very straight forward.

All in all, there were 2 reasons to why he came here. One, to watch the newcomers enter the dome, and the second reason was to watch his imports enter the dome. He had ordered some expensive stuff to come in, he needed to finish his project. It was something that he had been busying himself with for some time now, and it was rather refreshing. Benjamin rolled his shoulders and adjusted his posture when he thought he saw something.

Ben looked around, when he saw a swaying light in the air. He glanced up and watched the light closely, before noticing Crip. Flash backs from war flashed in his mind, and he immediatly gripped his pistol. The more he stared, the worse the flashbacks got, he had remembered stuff like this happening before. When you didn't know how to react to something unkown, and it turned out that the unkown was hostile. He had lost some comrades in battle that way. Benjamin shook his head, and looked away not pulling out his pistol. Though he kept his hand on it just in case, that creeper up there was beginning to get him worried.

Benjamin never trusted anyone in this dome, especially those shady looking ones. Not that he doubted himself to be shady looking. He turned his attention to the huge door, and watched for the people that would begin to walk out. He hoped that he didn't appear to be hostile, and he hoped that whoever was up there wouldn't pull anything. He'd rather not have to open fire when it was ther first seconds on Mars.

Ebony's eyes found Tildy, as the the girl was released from her chains. Instantly she filled with concern for the girl, as she could see the patch of blood spreading steadily over her shirt. However, she was free and could help herself. Or could she? She looked weak and pale and if someone didn't help her before long she would die of loss of blood. Chewing her bottom lip, Ebony struggled against the chains, trying to get free, but to no avail. Sighing, her eyes returned to Tildy, who was close to her. Her hands were on Ebony's own chains, trying to get her free as well. "It's no good," She whispered, shaking her head. "I can't get out. Just hold on, it won't be long." Her tone had softened from when she had spoken to the rough looking male on the ship. She glanced around at the others, seeing the same emotions mirrored on each of their faces. No-one wanted this red haired girl to die, even if they didn't know her very well. "Just take deep breaths. You'll be alright." She assured, her eyes returning to her, as she forced herself to speak softly to the girl. It was a struggle to speak calmly to her and not to frighten her. The girl returned to her seat, with all eyes still on her.

Hours later

“Warning, landing in ten minutes,”

The voice woke Ebony, who opened her eyes slowly. She had no idea when she had fallen asleep or why she had allowed herself to. Yawning, she opened her eyes fully, adjusting to the weak light that was in the chamber. Attempting to move her hands she remembered the chains and muttered under her breath about foolish scientists and how she hated them. A warm trickle crept down her wrist. Her cuffs had rubbed when she had tried to get free of them and now she had cuts across both wrists. Sighing she glanced around at the rest of the group, her eyes falling on Tildy last of all. She could see that the girl was alive, which was a good a sign to sat the least. They all were and considering they'd had no food or water for 24 hours, they were still going strong. Ebony felt weaker than she had before and there was a rumbling in her stomach, but other than that, she felt alright. But she was tired and just wanted to sleep as well as scoff down as much food as possible.

Preparing herself for the landing, she braced herself, guessing that it was going to be bumpy and out of control. Just as she did, she was slammed back against the seat, her head smashing against the headrest. She bit down hard on her tongue. "Ow," She muttered, as the ship stopped moving altogether. "That kind of hurt." Her voice was barely hearable, due to the blood welling in her mouth. Leaning over the edge of the seat she spat the blood on the floor, unable to swallow it, for it made her feel sick. Everyone around her was silent, as they waited for what was to come. She wondered who it would be who came to get them out of there. Would it be more scientists or more malformed humans. Glancing around the circle, she raised an eyebrow. "I'd say it's been a pleasure, but being on here wasn't exactly fun. Guess we'll see one another around. My name is Ebony by the way, on the account of my hair being so dark. Good luck out there." She bowed her head, her words true, as she actually meant for them to have the best of luck out there because not one of them knew what was to come.

Just then a man entered the ship with a team behind him. He addressed them, giving them instructions and most importantly showing them how to be free of their holdings. Ebony didn't heistate to free herself from the chair, jumping up. Her legs buckled beneath, pins and needles striking her down. She grabbed the chair, slowly straightening up. Feeling the back of her head, she could tell there was a lump forming. "Best get it checked out," She muttered to herself, heading for the medic that stood behind the first man. She nodded to him, before turning to the girl. Holding up her wrists, she showed her the abrasions, the bump to the back of her head and her tongue. "Been in the wars quite a bit." She was reluctant to show all of her injuries, but she did so anyway. Ebony didn't willingly accept help often, but she needed it then, she was injured, even if it was just small injuries. Then she remembered that Tildy was even more injured than herself and needed help. "However, please could you help the girl over there?" She nodded to Tildy, glancing at the medic once more. "She seemed to be seriously injured earlier and I don't know how she is doing now."

((Sorry it's short! Don't have much time on my hands!))

Off the ship to a new life, Katrina knew what time it was. Take a deep breath, she thought to herself. The room of six grew silent but roudy, shaking in their own unique ways of miff, wanting to get out of their cuffs. Katrina was glad they had stopped moving. Sounds were coming closer outside the metal door that inclosed them in this room. Someone was coming. Actually, it should like many were coming. Kat’s heart began to race a little, unsure of what was to appear behind the door that would soon free them. She held her breath as the door opened, eyes locking on all targets that now were filling the inner circle. Each of these soldier type people were eyeing them as if they were sheep, like herding more into their community. There seemed to be a leader in the group. He was tall and seemed wise, as if he was used to this routine on Mars. Yet something about his pained expression was getting to Kat, not wanting to see sadness as one of the first emotions she witnessed on Mars. This planet really will suck, she thought to herself, eyes following Leon blankly as he then started moving forward, heading in her direction. She straightened her back, eyes looking forward as to not want to make eye contact with him. She learned on Earth that it was best not to bother with ones holding a weapon. His gun tapped at his side at the sway of his stride, until he came to a halt behind Katrina’s back. He was unlocking her handcuffs. A light sigh of relief escaped her lips as they fell to the back of the chair. Immediately she pulled her arms in front of her, stretching them out and moving her fingers. She was stuck in the most uncomfortable position for 24 hours and her muscles were tense.

Yet she was free. Already it felt a weight was lifted off her shoulder, yet as to what that was she didn’t know yet. Whatever it was, she liked the feeling. The leader continued on to unlocking the cuffs to the person on her left. Kat continued to watch him with her colorful turquoise gaze, brighter now that the lifeless energy that was trapping her soul fell to the ground with a clink. His gun still was a main focus, very wary as to trust his movements. His gun was humming slightly, and her eyes jumped around to see if anyone else could heard the noise. No one seemed bothered by it. It reminded her off the noise she could hear from the door she unlocked. Whatever her power was, Kat was beginning to learn more about it. Apparently electronics could connect to her, hum to her, in some sort of code. It was hyponitc in a way, the hum filling her attention like an empty cup, replacing the hunger that shook her stomach. Is that that gun buzzing? she whispered without making a noise, eyes narrowing as she looked at the electronic gun with curious unsettling. It got to the point to where she could have sworn the blue lights on it flickered off and on, like a flame being blown in the wind. Katrina looked away and shook her head, unsure of it that really happened. Her weight collapsed back into the chair, scratching the side of her face. It was nice to be able to get the hair out of way, using her hands to now flip it over one side, hanging down past her knees as she sat. Her feet were still strapped in, that is, until this leader soldier made his way back around again. He bent down in front of her, unhooking her feet from the ground restraints as if it was a piece of cake. Katrina huffed, thinking how simple that would have been for Tildy to get out of the boots while they were on ship. Now that they had to get off the shuttle, there would be no turning back. No more chances of making their way back to Earth. She stood up, her feet shaky at first as she struggled to get familiar to the atmosphere change on Mars. After a few seconds she grew stable, a faint smile growing as she could finally move around again.

The leader introduced the people around him. A medic would be of fairly helpful use to her, since she was cut slightly around her wrist. Yet, Kat didn’t want to deal with anyone. She wanted to just get to the rest of the community, watch them go about their lives and learn from afar. Survival mode was the state she would be in until she had her groundings in this new place. Her wounds would heal under her suit overtime, and the pain wasn’t too harsh. The leader and his men then led their way out, everyone following down the corridor out to the landing dock. Katrina was on the tip of her feet with anxiety, vision gripping light that exited the ship. It led to a huge indoor facility. Katrina’s eyes widened in amazement at the dark rustic browns that draped over all the technology. The colors of Mars were going to be something to get used to. Her feet landed officially of the ShipX, gripped a metal railing that led down a staircase. The area was loud, vehicles driving back and forth unloading materials from the back of the ship. All these people were malformed.... all of them had powers. They were different, and for now it would be okay. She was alive, willing and determined to stick it through on this hell hole.

Katrina watched as the other five got off the ship. What were they thinking? Each had their own reaction to the freedom, leaving the solider leader to watch each of them. He still looked pained, like he had a headache. Though that didn’t really bother Kat, for they all most likely had a major headache from their ride. Kat silently slipped to the side of Leon, tapping him gracefully on the shoulder.

“Excuse me,” she stated, index finger poking his arm. Her voice was strong, sturdy, even with the lack of daily essentials like water and food in her system. She continued on, keeping her chin up to look him directly in the eyes. “All I want is to go see the rest. See that people can sustain a relatively normal life here..” she spoke, trying to find hope in this place since there didn’t seem to be any currently. “Can you take me there?” she asked, not afraid to ask for help. It was in her nature, her inquisitive, student side. She waited patiently for an answer, wondering if he would even speak to her. Kat needed someone to take her around. She would get lost and worried if she was left to journey this dome structure alone.

On the far side of the planet, where it is night, vicious roars and hisses could be sound carrying through the wind. Several of the colony look towards the sky, to see the shooting ball of flame that is ship x entering the atmosphere. The colony knows that this means something, but to what they do not know. Likes wolves howling at the moon, so do the Coruvaks but only when the Coruvaks, but they do not howl. They simply roar up to the sky. On top of the abandoned and grealy worn down dome sat a single Coruvak accompanied by several others. But however, this was was very noticeably different. When comparing sizes, this single one was far greater than the rest. When on all fours, it's height was at 4 feet and 6 inches, as compared to the ones that are crouched at a lowly 3 feet or so.

In a biological point of view, one would simply call it... An alpha male, which is rightly so. This Coruvak is the dominant of all other, among this colony, and among others. Those that accompied it, upon closer inspection did seem not the usual type of Coruvak. One to take notice us, was of average size, but there seemed to be slight faint lines of bronze that encircled it's body. It remained still watching the blazing ship x in the atmosphere drop down to mars. By that Coruvak, was a female.. Which was closest to the alpha male, this female happened to be it's mate. She was a very dark grey, it was a wonder really why the alpha had chosen her but perhaps he liked the color. She too was a tad bit larger than the average Coruvak, even when compared to males. Standing by were 4 more more of in the shadow of the other three, each looked rather plain too dark to really tell what made them special if anything.

The alpha rose it's head and gave a monstrous roar into the night air. The metal beneath them reverborated at the immense intensity of the sound waves. The Coruvaks below looked up at their superior than turned to the ship in the scar, and roared as well. It seemed to be a sign for them, they all knew when the ship was supposed to come.

Several beasts near the area fleed as fast as they could. Though hardly anything dared to get close to Coruvak territory, they were the nightmares that crawled around the far side of the planet. A group of Spouns, took off into the air, bound to get away in the icy cold wind. Hoping to reach at least a little bit of daylight. If they were fortunate, they wouldn't come across another colony of Coruvaks as well. But nature was harsh, and unforgiving. Dozens of hunter Coruvaks were scowering the Mars surface for food, Spouns were always welcome. But in the several years that it had dwelled outside the dome. They liked to prey on the beast people. One Coruvak in particular brought back an adult Spoun. It dropped it before a small whole in the ground, and 3 little Coruvaks came running out shirping happily, they were followed by a female which walked over beside the male and gently nudged her dome against his then laid down. They watched the younglings devour their food ravenessly practicing using their claws that were coming in. All 3 were about 3 months old, fairly new youngs standing on all fours at about three quarters of a foot.

The alpha male turned to it's mate and nudged her gently, then began to start down the dome. They were both followed by the remaining four whom eventually made it to the surface. They all had grabbed the attention by their subordinates that were around them, some young Coruvaks rushed up, and chirped to the Alpha, whom gave a curt snarl that wouldn't sound threatening to any other being. But the snarl see,ed to put the young ones in a fret, as they ran in circles chasing each other as if glad to hear about something. The alpha turned to one of the for and gave a hiss, to which two of his followers bounded off inside the dome. He and his mate kept prowling around looking around at the colony. The alpha seemed proud, as any would but there was something on it's mind. He began to climb up a face of a cliff, being followed by more, as it gave more cries and roars. The colony all turned to watch what he was doing. On the top of the cliff, the male rushed forward thehn stopped at an invisible line. It peered in the general direction of the Mars colony of the 'malformed' humans and gave a loud cry. It had seemed that it had finally had enough of wondering... It wanted to know what was happening, that made the fireball (ship x) come every 6 months.

Tildy returned a giddy smile to the others, her head wobbling unstably on her shoulders, the wounds in her chest would be slow to heal; even more so after the touch of Ebony’s chains. Following her instructions from the other girl she took a few deep breaths, wriggling back into the cold grip of her chair. Slowly but surely where her bare back touched the metal seat small flecks of flesh reached out, almost magnetized to the construction; pulling her flush to the seat, keeping her from falling. She watched each of them, flickering mainly between the two women who had offered her help or comfort, things she was at ease with. Fingers sluggish and thick with fatigue brushed against her slow healing flesh, absorbing all traces of metal that it could find. Truly it was disgusting, her flesh would not heal cleanly for many weeks, but it would seal within a few hours, creating a small sheath in her flesh, uncomfortable and utter repulsive. Her hand dropped back to her lap, lids lowering without her consent, blocking her view of the world. As usual when she fell asleep, the last thing she did was count the pieces that lay hidden beneath her flesh. Some were smaller than her little fingernail, others were as large as her thumb; in total there were 300 pieces that lay beneath her flesh, just sitting there where she knew them to be; safe and comforting.

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”Give me back my daughter!” The screams made her flinch, no one had ever yelled around her before. The Organics company was sure they only got the best environment, that meant very few harsh words and only mild tones of disappointment when needed. Through the misted glass she watched perplexed as the perfect people seized the fragile red headed woman. She screamed so loud, thrashing uselessly against them. Tildy moved slowly across the room that she had been shoved into as soon the woman had entered. The conversation had been quiet at first and she had sat uncaring playing with toys on the floor. Now once again she came to the foggy glass, wanting to know what was wrong and pressed her nose to the glass, hand raised to trail foggily against it.

The woman broke free, rushing to where she knew her daughter to be; she could see her red flash of hair behind the glass, the tale tale green eyes. She slammed her hand over there her daughters was, unreachable. So close to the glass Tildy’s eyes were wide looking up into her mothers blue; her own advanced eye sight clearing away some of the mist so she could see the woman before her. The pale woman flashed her a thin smile, beautiful mouth curving at the sight of her daughter; the first time since her birth seven years before. Tildy stood watching the woman’s emotions, eyes carefully measuring her for sincerity, just as she had been trained to do from her very birth. She envied the girl that such a person had come for, but knew it was not herself, they had told her that her carrier had died giving birth to her as almost all did, giving birth to engineered children was to hard on the mother, they took to much for them to survive.

“I love you.” Her mother whispered to her, steaming up the glass even more, then she was gone. Tildy’s ears registered the buzz of a stun gun, and peered through the glass. As she rose on her tiptoes she could see the twitch of the woman’s foot, erratic with the current running through her. The door besides her opened and they motioned her away from the glass. She stepped back as they closed the door again. She wondered why the woman had wanted so badly to get her daughter back, she had given her away for the good of the country; it was voluntary. She shook her head, sitting back down to look at her toys, all numerical or letter based to improve her learning. Still she felt saddened, she wished that someone wanted her so selfishly; for them and only them. She flickered through the games, her heart heavy in her chest. One day she would be a mother she decided, she would protect her child, till then she would become the best. She would become the best and go out into the world, find the people she saw in the books; real people, real families.

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She woke with a sharp jerk, the skin of her back stretching painfully as they came to a vicious halt. She was dizzy due to lack of blood, the world coming in and out of focus. Suddenly a man entered the ship, had they landed? She looked around at the others who seem slightly less disorientated than her, they must be on mars she decided. She followed through the motions he made, freeing her feet as her flesh let go of the seat with great hatred. She moved to the medic, ignoring her she picked up one of the cases that were marked with blood. She clicked it open with practiced motions, fingers flickering over blood types. With a sigh of satisfaction she picked out her own and plugged it into a drip before inserting the needle into her flesh. She gasped at the pain, making sure to puncture the flesh with the needle rather than let her body accept it. She placed the blood into her bag, elevated nicely and handily; it dripped into her veins letting her eyes steady as she walked out into the new world.

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Peng made and remade himself as he waited outside in the darkness, his eyes used to the little that were emitted by the dock. He wanted to look his best for them all, the first impression was important. He settled on his usual appearance, just more whole; rather than a floating torso. His gears turned uneasily in his body as he reformed flesh, something was bound to go wrong. Though he could not truly feel pain, when his made body became damaged he lost another memory or became less human again. He wished that some day he would be allowed back into the domes, but he knew they would never let him return. Every time he lost a part of himself his unattainable goal grew ever further away. Yes he could sneak into the dome with his non form, but he wanted to be invited back into their world. His long flighty hair calmed as he thought of returning home, these new generations would be the ones to get him in, it was in them that he needed to gain trust and confidence he had decided many years before.

“Hello, welcome to Mars.” His voice spoke into each of their minds as they walked out of the ship, uncertain of speaking to strangers but knowing it to be necessary. He stood in his all to human body, in simple clothing, human clothing. He could not feel the cold, nor did he need clothes; he did not know how odd he looked at -200 in dome clothing. Another thing he often forgot was to breath or move, having no need of such things with a mechanical body and cloth outer skin. His smile was mild and pleasant as he watched each of them, wondering what they would think of him. When they came closer to there carriers he held out his hand, trying his hardest to pay attention to each movement; usually he just moved from one position to another with a change of cloth rather than body. He hoped wildly that it looked right this time, he had been watching Leon and his crew for quite some time, trying to perfect such things. Little did he know that his concentration had furrowed his brow like it should have, for he had once owned a face and flesh; though this was a new body, it remembered.

(Ok, I'm going to try to get into this now)

Sikes watched as the events unfold around him, he tried to "scan" the otehrs abit at their reactions, attempting to figure out abit about them that way. He gave a low chuckle, beliving that things might not be as boring as he thought it would be in the end. He thought that going to Mars, despite having the freedom he wanted, would be abit boring with plain failures. But if everyone ends up being like this bunch he's with now, he might have some fun for once in his life.

______________________________

As they all got off the ship, he simply stolled out, ignoring the person's that welcomed them, looking around his new home. Alreay, his mind began to run along, thinking of what to do now. Once they finally stepped on actual ground, he let out a loud yawn, stretching back abit as he spreads his arms back. "Now THIS is more like it. Open room!" He spoke outloud, enjoying his new freedom. He then looked at the others, then at the one introducing them, asking, "So...when do we get a bite to eat, huh?"

(sorry for short, kind of "restarting" my posts abit, after this, I'll have more promise)

Keeley smile warmly at the woman in front of her, the good thing was that the cuts and nicks were minor compared to some of the wounds she had seen in the past. It relieved her greatly to see this one had made off so minor. She took her glove off and touched Ebony's arm in a firm grip a slight look of pain washed over her for a moment, as she watched the wounds begin to heal on her arm, they were minor, so no damage was really done. She looked into Ebony's eyes smiling slightly as a slight look of shock came over her face, her wounds now healed completely. A small trail of blood trickling out from under Keeley's sleeve. She removed her hand and rolled her sleeve up showing that Ebony's wounds were now on herself, she instantly went to wrapping the new wounds in a bandage after applying what looked to be a salve of some sort. "There now you're all better." She smiled again, watching the red haired girl sift through the blood bank that she had set up, settling with one attaching it to herself and walking off. She sighed slightly, she felt so empathetic of the girl, she remembered her first few days on mars, the only reason she could make it was because Leon was such a strong person in her eyes. "Some aren't taking this to lightly are they?" She stated openly as Tildy walked off.

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Matthew stood at the front of the entrance to the dome, where he watched Peng try to start up conversation. And looked as if he completely failed, maybe. He watched the red head walked by stuck with an IV. "Ma'am. Are you gonna be ok?" He stated it in that military fashion, where it sounded as if he cared, though in reality he could give a shit less. Though really he did, newcomers were the ones that would be here long after the older ones had passed, it would be better to make sure that they were in 'mint' condition. He didn't expect an answer though he still waited for one just in case, some of the people coming off the ship seemed less worried about meeting the inhabitants and more worried about their own agenda, if they actually had one. He had to start somewhere meeting the newcomers so why not here, with her, she seemed the most interesting out of the group so far.

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Jasen was slightly entertained by the group that had emerged from the ship, some were loners other actually wanted help, wholeheartedly. The ones that would ask for their help would probably make it on mars, others well it depended on their will to survive a new experience. He had watched someone talk with Keeley, obviously for healing reasons, he had watched her do this before take the wounds from another and inflict them on herself, he had noted the look that crossed Leon's face every time she had done it in the past, he looked to Leon now, he wasn't even watching Keeley now. Just staring off into the horizon, daydreaming again? He watched as one of the black haired girls approached him, if she snuck up on him she was gonna be in for a surprise. "Leon." He stated it loud enough that Leon looked over, he pointed in the direction of the oncoming female, just as she poked him and said something that he couldn't hear standing so far away. When were they gonna get on the trucks and get back to civilization, man was he hungry.

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Cait went to the trucks, she wasn't needed for the introductions, she had done her job and now wanted to sit back for a moment, and when the time was right take the people to where they wanted to go and get back to HQ, she wasn't much of a people person, she didn't like contact with people much, mostly because her touch brought on uncontrollable pain to the other person, while Keeley could heal another, she did the other, but it made the men and women of her team better fighters, ever try to win against someone whose touch could almost kill? They learned the basics and everything else she taught them extremely fast, that or they payed for their mistakes over time. She watched the commotion outside, glad to be where she was least in the way.

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Leon was off in his own world again thinking of the times before, his training, how hard he fought to get things to where they were now, and about Keeley, he didn't like the fact that she sacrificed her body that way, taking on others injuries just to make them better, he was glad that he didn't need her power for himself. He would have lost some of the small remaining humanity left in him if she had taken the time to heal him with some of his past wounds. Leon heard his name in the distance, he turned his head to look and saw Jasen pointing to his left, at that point he felt a poke on his arm, and heard a very stern voice from the woman he recognized as Kat. She had seemed like someone with some leadership qualities, for she held herself together very well. He turned to her as she stated that she wanted to see what life was like, she wanted to see the others living on the colony, it was slightly comforting that she cared so much of life. He gave her a stern look, one that if looks could kill, this one would, he didn't want to drive around all over the place, but he did take a personal oath to help those that were new to get into the life here. His face softened a bit. "That is fine, I'll take you around after everyone else gets around, we have enough trucks to carry everyone. Take your time here, introduce yourself to Peng there," he raised a hand and pointed to Peng, "He may look a little strange, but he is harmless to what I know of, that and he'd love to talk with someone who is recently from earth." As he said that he wished he didn't, it wasn't right to bring up those memories with the new comers at first, though he couldn't take back what he said he just looked to the group as they went this way and that. He heard something about someone wanting food. "If everyone is ready at this point we'll take you to the mess hall, and show you all around, if you're up for it. He motioned his remaining men on the ground to mount up, and get ready for the drive and such, it was good that someone was hungry, he hadn't had too much to eat himself and was feeling it. "When you're ready just jump into a vehicle, he strode toward his own taking his place in the gunner's hatch once more, watching the crowd again from his nest.

Ben stood about 30 meters away from the humvess. He was leaned against the wall, casualy... Well, he would have been casual if it wasn't for that spook up on the light looking down. He didn't trust anyone in this place, especially people who just show up and try to creep around. His right hand was on the hilt of the p[istol he had tucked into the back waist section of his pants. He grunted in frustration staring up at the swaying light, he couldn't shoot too. Which made things worse, there were 'officials' or wanna-be ones escorting the new comers out. He didn't know exactly whoever up there's intentions were, and he didn't want to make a mistake... Which would ultimately lead him to make a different kind of mistake. A lose-lose situation.

He glanced at Tildy who was walking out, it was a cold glance, but not in the least hostile... But unfortunately he always appeared to be hostile. It was just how he was, due to being raised in a strict military lab. He gave her a quick look over, and rated her a 7 on the danger scale. He never judged a book by it's color.. He looked back up staring intently at the person sitting on the light. He was getting more agitated with each passing second. Benjamin HAD to do something, he had decided. As soon as Leon walked out, and if that creeper was up thre still. He would warn Leon... He adjusted uncomfortably in his dark gey combat boots, he had these for a long time. And they still did him good use. These things had been through countless battles, and they were in great shape. He didn't know if it was credit, to him taking care of his stuff, or the fine manufacturing. It didn't matter.

The digi-cam pants he had on, made his lower half almost blend in seemlessly into the grey metal around him. They were neatly, tucked into his boots, as he had been trained to do since he was little. All in all, his clothes looked worn. Every article of clothing he had, has been in use for so long, and continuously, that they all naturally contured around his form, fitting perfectly on him. Benjamin ruffled his hair gently, in agitation, waiting for Leon to get out. Which adressed the next issue... He didn't know the man's name. Should he call him sir? No, that would be rediculous. But it was the only thing that came into mind, he didn't know any other slang... Or any slang at all, unless it was for weapons or military stuff.

Benjamin had decided that he would call him sir, he couldn't get in trouble for that. Now all that he had to do, was watch the person up there, and wait for Leon to emerge from the ship. Then he would make his move.

Katrina stood patiently behind Leon, silent in her motions as she retracted her arm away. He turned around rather abruptly with a tense expression, as if he was on a constant guard. First impression of this man... dangerous. She wasn’t quite sure why, but the stern look of his gaze definitely made Kat retract back a step. Sure, she was a brave soul at heart and could rise to a challenge, but fear was not a foreign feeling. Leon was probably double her weight in all muscle. Even her lab training in the many branches of martial arts would be little of a defense up against brute strength. She would not mess with this leader if she could help it. Katrina managed to hold her own expression blank during this encounter, but a little bit of hesitance was clear in her eyes. Then he began to speak.

"That is fine, I'll take you around after everyone else gets around, we have enough trucks to carry everyone. Take your time here, introduce yourself to Peng there.” Leon pointed across the landing, Kat’s attention following his hand until it stopped to point off at a boy in the distance. He seemed friendly, gentle... but Kat was not in the mood for happy introductions. She was trying to hang on to the little she knew in life, and there wasn’t much room to fit in new friends. She faced Leon again, as if meeting this boy Peng was obviously not going to happen now.

“I don’t need anyone to take me on a tour around, I just need a ride to my room, wherever that may be,” she answered back to Leon as calm as she could, but it was pointless. He didn’t seem to take notice of what she was saying. Grunting with a smirk, she crossed her arms, posture contrapposto. Maybe he was the type to always have something on his mind. Or maybe he lost sensitivity to newcomers over time, which she couldn’t blame him if he had to do this every time. Leon had now walked away from her, Kat’s mind roaming the people around for another way out. Each of his team members seemed unique in their own, Katrina wondering what special abilities they had inside. Leon then mentioned something about getting into one of the humvee’s lined up to get to food, which would also mean sleeping quarters near by, right? Right. Katrina perked her ears, eyes fine-tuning on the man across the way from her leaning against one of the vehicles. “Perfect,” she stated cooly, striding rather smoothly over to the male. He was wearing a hat that almost blended in with his shade of ashy hair cut at jagged lengths underneath. Since he was closest to one of the vehicles, it meant that he probably wanted to get out of this place the most. Exactly what she was looking for.

Without a word Katrina walked up to the truck, looked the fellow from head to toe, then opened up the back door. She swung herself gracefully inside the back, buckling up in the middle seat. “Lets ride,” she yelled through the open back window, as if she had been waiting on him for a while to get in, though it had only be seconds. Her words appeared to hit the soldier like music to his ears, for without hesitation he got in the humvee and turned on the ignition. The technology of this vehicle seemed pretty old fashioned, but what could one expect when Earth only gave their leftovers to those on Mars. The junk planet, of humans and objects a like. Inside it smelled like smoke and old food, but overall it was fairly clean. Once the vehicle started up, Jasen seemed to make himself at home. There was a floating radio device, like an old classic boombox, that seemed to recognize who he was. It was fuzzy at first when he turned it on, the man having to hit it a couple times for it to sound clearly audible. Kat then looked out the window to those still roaming around the loading deck. There was enough space in the other trucks to take passengers, so there was no need to wait. Even if Kat wanted to wait, Jasen already was beginning to rev the engine.

She placed her hands firmly against the back seat, prepping for a shaky take off. The sound of the ship they took off in was still a fresh memory to her mind, but certainly a memory that she was glad was over. The trip in this vehicle would hopefully run more smoothly than the trip to Mars, for after all. The destination they were taking now was to get food. Plus they were on land and not in the middle of space, which was much more comforting. Before hitting the road, he got on his vehicle's radio to Leon.
"Hey boss, taking a little lady to the community station," he clarified over the mouth piece. Leon responded with an okay to go. He began to drive, the humvee picking up speed rather quickly as it took down a pathway that led to a long tunnel-like connector. It size of it was massive. As they neared the entrance to the tunnel, the metal gate flew up, motion detectors catching their presence. There was enough for as many as three humvee’s to travel both ways, a total of six wide lanes across in full.

“Wow,” escaped her lips, taken back by the stretch and length of this tunnel. She peered up at the driver, his spunky personality pretty obvious to her. He was home in this car, that was for sure. Kat watched as he rolled his window down, pulling out a cigarette from behind his ear and lighting it with his butane lighter. He inhaled a few times, while his right hand messed with his radio. Then it came. Loud, horrible music. “County?” she groaned, as if this guy was really being serious. What did he think he was, some type of cowboy? Could he even hear her? The music was loud, and he cranked it up even louder when the current song was getting to his favorite part. A pained looked crossed her face, hands gripping her ears from the sudden blare in noise. The slight pint up anger inside of her was now growing a little faster, due to the unpleasantness of the situation. If only she could get the sound to stop, she would do anything. A happy, country song as no where close to the blues she felt inside.

Then she started to feel something internally. It was the same strange feeling she felt when the door was opened in her lab at open, and as well the feeling she felt inside the corridor when she got near Leon’s gun. This time though, the strange feeling was stronger, and began to make her mind tense. It was making her feel fuzzy, but at the same time very clear. Whatever was happening, it didn’t matter, her mind focused instead on the disturbance of the music and singing country boy in the front seat. Yet then out of no where, Kat’s eyes widened, as if a click turned on inside of her. She let out a tiny gasp, holding her breath in as she could feel a wave from inside of her about to release, out of her control. Not even a few seconds later passed before.. BAM. A loud screech emitted from the tires as the humvee caught traction against the indoor highway’s pavement. The vehicle’s power went out, ignition shut off, and for that little radio that was once making noise, well... the smoke bellowing from the speakers suggested it was fried. The shock of the sudden stop startled Kat beyond belief, taking her a few moments to recollect. Thank god she buckled up, the restraints catching her from flying forward. They sat in silence, almost enough for a cricket to be heard. The car wasn't dead, just turned off automatically, but for that radio, it was a goner.

“Umm...” she mumbled, wondering if she was responsible for this. And for some reason, she had a feeling she was. Opps?